Plants show temporary and permanent wilting. Differentiate between the two. Do any of them indicate the water status of the soil?

 Wilting refers to the loss of turgidity of leaves and other soft aerial parts of a plant causing droping, folding and rolling of non-woody plants. It occurs when rate of loss of water is higher than the rate of absorption.

                   Temporary Wilting

                         Permanent Wilting

Temporary drooping of young leaves  and shoots due to loss of turgidity especially during noon.

 

Occurs when rate of transpiration more than water absorption due to shrinkage of roots.

 

Wilting recovers as soon as water is  replenished in the soil around root  hairs.

 

Plant regains its normal growth.

 

state of permanent loss of turgidity in  leaves and other parts of plant.

 

Rate of transpiration is more than rate of absorption but difference is critical level.

 

Wilting is not recovered as cells do not regain their turgidity even in presence  of plentiful water and atmosphere.

Plant eventually dies.