Correct option is A
✅ (a) Negative water potential: • Water potential (Ψ) becomes more negative under drought conditions. • Plants with higher drought resistance can tolerate lower (more negative) water potential, maintaining cell turgor and survival. • They minimize water loss and maximize uptake under stress.
❌ (b) Positive water potential: • Occurs in well-watered conditions; not characteristic of drought stress.
❌ (c) Surplus water: • Opposite of drought; not related to resistance.