The effect of potassium carbonate solution on the drying of lucerne: 1. Laboratory studies

Summary The drying rate of fully exposed individual lucerne plants was substantially increased following brief immersion in 0·18 M potassium carbonate solution. The increase was maintained over a range of drying conditions, and at low moisture contents, but the use of more concentrated potassium carbonate solutions yielded no further increase. Changes in leaf:stem ratio had a smaller effect on the drying rate of potassium carbonate treated lucerne than on untreated lucerne. Tests with diffusive resistance and viscous flow porometers support the hypothesis that potassium carbonate solution changes the water transmitting properties of the cuticular waxes.