Importance of Water in Physiology of plants. || By Sharma Sir || Bareilly Tuitions || New Batches Start>

Importance of Water in Physiology of plants.

Importance of Water in Physiology of plants. The water is most essential for the life. This is the most important plant nutrient and constitutes the greater part of the plant weight. As a matter of fact water in sufficient quantity is a vital necessity for all plants; As water is the main constituent of protoplasm, therefore it enters into the composition of each and every living cell controls each and every vital process. Water being the major component of the protoplasm, it forms the solvent in which gases and all mineral substances are absorbed by the plants. The turgidity of cells depends upon water, which make growth possible. The various Phenomenon are closely related to the life of plants, like transpiration, photosynthesis, absorption, permeability, ascent of sap etc. are more or less dependent on the presence of water, inside and outside the plant body. Because enzymes are active in presence of water, hence the process of food assimilation, respiration etc.; are also dependent on water. A number of movements in plants are brought about by changes in turgor as a result of changes in the water content of the cells. The deficiency of water in plant body affects a number of process such as growth, photosynthesis. Respiration, transpiration, translocation etc. and the continuous deficiency of water results in the death of plant by desiccation. 

Thus it may be concluded that water is one of the five basic elements (Earth, water, air, sky and fire) of life as recognized in Indian Mythology. Some of the important function of water mainly in plants is as follows: 

(i) Water is essential component of protoplasm. 

(ii) Water is a good solvent. 

(iii) Water act as a chemical reactant in living beings. 

(iv) Water helps to mention rigidity (Turgidity of cells & tissues) 

(v) Water helps the plant in maintaining their temperature. 

(vi) Water is essential medium for completing life cycle of many lower aquatic forms of plants.