The plant then moves water and nutrients to the leaves where it is released thru the stomata. Sugars are transported downward to the roots. Energy is used to remove water form soil. Soil tension increases when water in the soil decreases. As soil tension increases the plant expends more energy to take in water.
Plant grows additional roots to tap soil pore spaces.
Water movement in soils is by capillary action and gravitational forces. Agr onomy Soil, water, nutrients, plant growth Soils are rarely uniform, but made up of a mix of types, nutrients, water, oxygen and much more. This will change from week to week and year to year. Just because you measured all of this last year, does not mean it will be the same this year. It is not intended to delve too deeply into the subject here, but it is important to understand the basics.