In which one of the following physiological processes, excess water escapes in the form of droplets from a plant?

Guttation is the physiological process in plants where excess water is released in the form of liquid droplets [3]. This phenomenon typically occurs at night or in the early morning when soil moisture is high and transpiration is low. Under these conditions, root pressure builds up, pushing water through the xylem and out of specialized structures called hydathodes, which are located at the leaf tips or margins [1]. Unlike transpiration, which involves the loss of water as vapor through stomata [3], guttation involves the exudation of xylem sap containing dissolved minerals and organic substances [2]. While plants also use transpiration to get rid of excess water [2], the specific escape of water in droplet form is uniquely defined as guttation [1]. Secretion and excretion are broader biological terms, but guttation is the specific botanical mechanism for droplet exudation [1].

Sources

1. [1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/guttation
2. [3] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > 5.5.2 Excretion in Plants > p. 98
3. [2] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7542811/