Question

A well-watered potted herbaceous plant shows wilting in the afternoon of a dry sunny day. Why?

Answer 1

Wilting has occurred due to water loss by transpiration. Even though the plant is well watered, the conditions like low humidity, high temperature and adequate light causes the rate of transpiration to increase as stomata get open under these conditions.

Transpiration is the process in which water vapours are released from the stomatal openings.

Hence extreme water loss is caused and wilting occurs.