INFLUENCE OF IRRADIANCE OF FOLIAGE PLANTS ON TRANSPIRATION AND AIR HUMIDITY

Increasing irradiance resulted in higher net assimilation and transpiration rates of both species (Ficus benjamina and Sparrmannia africana). As compared to the transpiration rates of people (55.6 to 83.3 mol H₂O per day per person (Pohl, 2004)) the transpiration rates of the plants are by far lower (0.15 to 0.40 mmol H2O m² s). S. africana had > 65 % higher transpiration rates than F. benjamina, but about the same rate of net assimilation at very low irradiance.
Transpiration rates in the growth chamber were 3-times as high as under real room conditions.
The transpiration of the plants, especially during the Northern European winter periods, cannot increase the indoor relative air humidity (r.h.) significantly.

V International Symposium on Artificial Lighting in Horticulture

F. Kohlrausch, D. Prucker, L. Kölher, R. Röber

Ficus benjamina, Sparrmannia africana, light intensity, transpiration, air humidity, assimilation

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2006.711.28