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Strasburger
Conducted experiments showing that a tall oak tree trunk, severed at the base, could draw poisons and dyes up to the leaves by some wick-like action. if metabolism energised sap flow, poison should have inhibited it. -
Dixon and Joly
Claimed that very pure water molecules would be held together by powerful cohesional forces provided the water was exceptionally clean. -
Professor EJ Ewart
Conducted investigations which led him to conclude that 'the ascent of water is therefore a vital problem insofar as it depends upon conditions which hitherto can only be maintained in living wood' -
Dixon
Postulated the Cohesions Theory, based on those properties of water which distinguish it as an ideal biological solvent. Through the evaporative power of the atmosphere, a continuous 'chain' of water, well below atmospheric pressure, could be drawn up to a leaf canopy.