Explain the mechanism by which the water is transported in plants?

Water is transported in plants through a continuous system of xylem vessels, which extend from the roots to the leaves. The process begins when the root hair absorb water from the soil by osmosis which passes through the root cortex and enters the xylem of the root. From there, it moves upward through the stem to the leaves.

The upward movement of water is caused by three main forces :

• Root pressure – It is the pushing force created by the continuous absorption of water by roots.
• Capillary action – Water rises through the narrow xylem vessels due to adhesion and cohesion between water molecules.
• Transpiration pull – The evaporation of water from the stomata in leaves creates a suction force that pulls water upward through the plant.

Thus, water transport in plants occurs due to the combined action of root pressure, capillary action and transpiration pull through the xylem.