A faster plant stem-water extraction method

Oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios of stem water have been used by several studies which relate the ecophysiology of plants to their water source. Undoubtedly, there are several other applications and research areas which could use this type of analysis. However, the most often used methods of extracting stem water are slow, limiting the rate of sampling and consequently preventing a deeper understanding of spatial and temporal plant water source use. We have developed a faster batch method of stem-water extraction and compare it with the most commonly used online method of stem-water extraction. Samples are sealed in 18 cm long ampoules having their extremities placed sample end in a heating block and the condensing end in a cooling block, and allowed to distill overnight. Up to 72 samples can be distilled overnight and sealed the next morning. The isotope ratios of water distilled by the batch method introduced here compared with those from the online method were in excellent agreement. In addition to being faster, this method does not need the monitoring of hot water baths and liquid nitrogen traps during distillation and does not require a complex vacuum system.