Question

Why hygroscopic water is not available to plants?

• A. Because its ${\Psi }_w$ is greatly increased
• B. Because its DPD is greatly decreased
• C. Because its ${\Psi }_w$ becomes strongly negative
• D. Because its ${\Psi }_w$ is increased and DPD is decreased

Answer 1

The correct option is C Because its ${\Psi }_w$ becomes strongly negative

Hygroscopic water is the water tightly held around soil particles as a thin film. It is not available to plants, because it has very low water potential (strongly negative). In other words, it has very less water molecules or it is present as an extremely thin film.