Terahertz spectroscopy reveals how plant leaves manage water through stomatal openings

Terahertz spectroscopy reveals how plant leaves manage water through stomatal openings

How do plants breathe? When do they open and close the tiny pores on their leaves, and what does this mean for their water balance? A research team led by Marburg physicist Professor Martin Koch has developed a method to visualize this process: With the help of terahertz spectroscopy, the scientists can observe when plants open or close their leaf openings (stomata). Their findings have been published in the journal Scientific Reports.