Q.Explain factors affecting water absorption.
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Water absorption by roots is affected by factors such as: available soil water content, soil temperature, soil aeration (oxygen availability), concentration of soil solution (osmotic potential of soil water), and the...
Root water uptake depends on soil-side factors and the plant's own physiological state.
Several environmental and plant factors influence the rate of water absorption by roots: (1) Available soil water — absorption is fastest when soil is moist, near field capacity, and slows as soil dries toward the permanent wilting point. (2) Soil temperature — very low temperatures increase the viscosity of water and reduce root metabolic activity and permeability, slowing absorption, while moderately warm soil favours faster uptake. (3) Soil aeration — roots need oxygen for the active metabolic processes involved in absorption; waterlogged, poorly aerated soils reduce absorption. (4) Concentration of the soil solution — if the soil solution is too concentrated (high solute content, e.g., from excess fertilizer or saline soil), its water potential may become lower than that of root cells, reducing or even reversing wate …
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