What is the term for all the water a plant needs to survive?

The term that accurately describes all the water a plant needs to survive is "evapo-transpiration." This concept encompasses not only the water absorbed by the plant but also the water that vaporizes from the soil and surfaces through evaporation and the water released from plant leaves during the process of transpiration. Evapo-transpiration is crucial for understanding a plant's water requirements, as it provides a holistic view of how much water is utilized and lost within an ecosystem.

This term emphasizes the relationship between soil moisture levels, climatic factors, and plant growth, thus helping to determine how much irrigation is necessary to maintain healthy plants. An understanding of evapo-transpiration allows irrigation technicians to plan and manage irrigation systems more effectively, ensuring plants receive the optimal amount of water for their survival while minimizing water waste. While soil moisture indicates the water held in the soil, and irrigation demand refers to the amount of water the plants require for irrigation practices, evapo-transpiration integrates these factors to reflect the overall water requirement for plant life.