The Cohesion-transpiration theory was given by Dixon and Jolly, in the year 1894. This hypothesis is based on three main facts.
(a) Cohesion between water molecules keeps the xylem vessel fully filled with water. The molecular force between water molecules is strong enough to hold together a column of water as high as 400 meters.
The capillary attraction between water and walls of vessels also helps to maintain the column of water
(b) Xylem vessels are so arranged that they are in continuity from root to leaves. So columnar continuity of water is maintained.
(c) Plants transpire water. It creates a reduced pressure in leaves. So, a suction pressure is exerted on the water column and the water column is drawn up because of suction, due to transpiration. The root pressure which draws in water from the soil also helps to keep the xylem filled with water. The suction due to transpiration is transmitted through a continuous column of water, from root tip to leaves and whole water column rises up. The pull or suction due to transpiration and rise of water column can be demonstrated by a simple experiment.
Experiment: Take a glass tube, about 25 cm long and 0.5 cm in diameter. Fill it with water. At its one end, fit a freshly cut twig, with the Water- help of cork and invert the lower end into mercury kept in a beaker. Make the apparatus airtight, Cohesion by applying a layer of transpiration vaseline on the cork. Keep the apparatus for some time. Mercury will rise in the tube. It shows that water present in the tube is being pulled upwards, by the transpiring shoot, as a result of transpiration pull.
The twig loses water during transpiration. This causes reduced pressure in leaves and causes tension on the water column, due to suction. This tension is transmitted throughout the water column, which rises up and mercury in the tube rises to take its place.
