15 Core Difference between Transpiration and Guttation with Table

What is the difference between transpiration and guttation?

Plants need water and food for survival. Excess water from the plants can be removed through the process of transpiration and guttation. However, the two processes tend to be quite different.

The core difference between transpiration and guttation is that transpiration is the removal of water through stomata found in leaves while guttation is the process of water removal through hydathodes.

Difference between Transpiration and Guttation

What Is Transpiration?

Transpiration is the evaporation of water in the form of water vapors through the stomata, cuticle of the leaf, and lenticels of a young stem.

Stomata tend to open during the process of photosynthesis in the presence of sunlight. The photosynthesis process requires water for translocation and the excess water is removed through transpiration.

Factors that Affect Transpiration Process

Temperature and humidity of the atmosphere

Number of stomata on the leaves

Water supply in the plants

Speed of the wind

Amount of light obtained by the plant

Number of leaves and their sizes

Presence or absence of the cuticle

What Is Guttation?

Guttation is the loss of water by plants through hydathodes which are present along the margin of the leaf of herbaceous plants in the form of liquid.

Hydathodes are a special type of stomata and are also known as water stoma. The process tends to occur in the morning when the level of atmospheric humidity is high.

The liquid that comes out of the hydathodes in xylem sap. It normally contains both organic and inorganic compounds in water.

Comparison Table: Transpiration Vs Guttation

Basic Terms	Transpiration	Guttation
Meaning	Refers to evaporation of water from the stomata	Refers to the secretion of water droplets through hydathodes
State of the Loosing Water	Water vapor	Liquid droplets
Composition	Pure water	Sugar, amino acids, and salts
Location of occurrence	Stomata, cuticle, lenticel stems	Hydathodes
Types of Plants	Terrestrial and herbaceous plants	Only on herbaceous plants
Conditions	When the temperature is high and the presence of light	Cold hours in the morning and at night
Humidity	Dry condition	Humid condition
Loos of Water through Diffusion	Highly favored	Not favored
Factors	Opening and closing of stomata	Presence of water in the plant
Development of Root Pressure	Result in the development of root pressure	Play a minor role in the development of root pressure
Wilting	Excess transpiration causes wilting	Does not cause wilting

Core Differences between Guttation and Transpiration In Point Form

Transpiration process takes place through stomata and lenticel while guttation through hydathodes

Transpiration water is lost in the form of water vapor while guttation in the form of liquid droplets

Guttation is a secretion while transpiration is not a secretion

Guttation occurs in the early morning or late night while transpiration occurs during the day

Guttation only occur through the margin of the leaves while transpiration from all parts of the body

Transpiration is favored by dry conditions while guttation is not favored by dry conditions

Humid conditions tend to favor guttation while reduces transpiration rate since it does not support the diffusion

Water loss during transpiration is enhanced by simple diffusion while guttation does not take place by diffusion

Excessive transpiration can cause wilting of plants while guttation never wilt plants

Transpiration is regulated by opening and closing of stomata while guttation is not regulated at all.

Guttation is influenced by humidity and availability of water while transpiration by a number of stomata, wind flow, and temperature

Transpiration enhance only pure water to evaporate while guttation enhance loss of sugars, amino acids, and salts

Transpiration occurs in terrestrial and herbaceous plants while guttation only in herbaceous plants

Transpiration does not involve root pressure while guttation involve root pressure development

Transpiration occurs in the presence of sunlight and high temperature while guttation occur early in the morning

Similarities between Transpiration and Guttation

Both occur on plants

Both primarily occur on leaves

Both involve water loss through pores

Both cause permanent water loss

Both play a role in cooling plants

Both help in pulling water into the plant

You May Also Like:

Comparison Video

Summary

The core difference between guttation and transpiration is that guttation is the loss of water in the form of liquid droplets via hydathodes while transpiration is the loss of water in the form of vapor through stomata.

ncG1vNJzZmibn6eypbXFn5yrnZ6YsrR6wqikaJyZm7OmvsSnmp5lkprBuLHEp2StqpGjwLG10ZqroqeeYq6vsIygrK2skam2sLqO