Terahertz spectroscopy reveals how plant leaves manage water through stomatal openings

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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.