The relationship between plant growth and water consumption: a history from the classical four elements to modern stable isotopes

Abstract Key message The history of the relationship between plant growth and water consumption is retraced by following progression scientific thought through centuries: from a purely philosophical question, to conceptual methodological developments, towards research interest in functioning interaction with environment. Context has for long time occupied minds philosophers natural scientists. ratio biomass accumulation known as use efficiency widely relevant today fields diverse improvement, forest ecology climate change. Defined at scales varying single leaf physiology whole plants, it shows how botanical investigations changed time, generally tandem developing disciplines improving methods. started question Greek plants grow, progressed actual experiments, an Aims This article retraces this questions posed centuries, presents not only main developments on transpiration but also development carbon isotopic method estimation. photosynthesis touched briefly, stomatal conductance presented more detail. Conclusion Research efficiency, path leaf-level functioning, was strongly involved historical discipline ecophysiology still very active field across nearly all levels research.