Water moves throughout plants primarily via the cohesion-tension mechanism in the xylem
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
confidence 88/100
Extensive physiological and biophysical evidence supports the cohesion-tension mechanism as the primary driver of water movement through the xylem in vascular plants.
Evidence for · 7
Direct Measurement of Xylem Pressure in Leaves of Intact Maize Plants. A Test of the Cohesion-Tension Theory Taking Hydraulic Architecture into Consideration
1999 · cited by 121
Experiments on intact maize plants yielded measurements consistent with the cohesion-tension theory of xylem water transport.
See more details
More for · 6
Xylem Surfactants Introduce a New Element to the Cohesion-Tension Theory1[OPEN]
2016 · cited by 117
Investigates how lipid-based xylem surfactants help support water transport under negative pressure as explained by the cohesion-tension theory.
Freezing of Conifer Xylem and the Cohesion‐Tension Theory
1969 · cited by 53
Reconciles the presence of air bubbles in conifer xylem during freezing with the continued validity of the cohesion-tension theory.
Catastrophic hydraulic failure and tipping points in plants.
2022 · cited by 19
Describes plant water movement as a continuous chain from soil to leaf evaporation governed by xylem tension and subject to hydraulic failure.
Dynamic Surface Tension Enhances the Stability of Nanobubbles in Xylem Sap
2021 · cited by 13
Examines how glycolipid and phospholipid surfactants stabilize nanobubbles within xylem sap under negative pressure.
Evolution and palaeophysiology of the vascular system and other means of long-distance transport.
2018 · cited by 9
Notes that embryophytes utilize mass flow of aqueous solution through the xylem under tension for long-distance transport.
Consistent decrease in conifer embolism resistance from the stem apex to base resulting from axial trends in tracheid and pit traits.
2024 · cited by 9
Analyzes drought-induced embolism formation and hydraulic traits along conifer stems under tension-based transport.