Term (sing. stoma = mouth, orifice or opening) for the pores or stomata on the leaves of plants, including vines and fungi. These are used for gas exchange with the surrounding air, in particular for the supply of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. The transpiration (evaporation) that takes place through the pores creates an osmotic suction that transports and distributes the soil water and the nutrients it contains from the roots upwards to the leaves. Evaporation also cools the leaves. Nutrients dissolved in water can also be absorbed via the stomata, which is used in fertigation (irrigation fertilisation). The picture on the right shows a stoma on the leaf of a tomato plant.
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