turgustruktuur

Turgustruktuur is a term used in Estonian plant physiology to describe the structural state of plant tissue as determined by turgor pressure within cells and the mechanical properties of the cell wall. It reflects how rigid or pliable a tissue is under given water potential and is a central concept in understanding plant form, growth, and tissue quality.

The phenomenon arises when water enters the central vacuole by osmosis, generating outward pressure against the cell wall. The resulting turgor contributes to cell enlargement, tissue firmness, and overall plant rigidity. The degree of turgustruktuur depends on both the magnitude of turgor and the elasticity and extensibility of the cell wall, as well as on the tissue’s hydration status. When turgor falls, as in wilting, tissues become flaccid and less rigid.

Measurement and assessment of turgustruktuur can be indirect, through tissue firmness tests or more direct approaches such as pressure-probe methods that quantify turgor pressure. In agronomy and postharvest biology, turgustruktuur is particularly relevant for evaluating fruit and vegetable texture, leaf turgor for drought tolerance, and the maintenance of quality during storage.

Factors influencing turgustruktuur include water availability, solute concentration (osmotic potential), temperature, and metabolic activity. Changes in turgustruktuur interact with cell wall properties and can affect processes such as stomatal operation, cell expansion, and tissue integrity. The term is primarily used in Estonian-language literature, with English discussions typically referring to related concepts like turgor pressure or tissue firmness.