Select the incorrect statement regarding imbibition.
A. Imbibition is the phenomenon of adsorption of water or any other liquid without forming a solution.
B. The liquid which is imbibed is called imbibate.
C. There occurs a decrease in volume of imbibant during imbibition.
D. Water is absorbed by germinating seeds through imbibition.

Hint: Water is adsorption by the solid particles of an adsorbent causing it to enormously increase in volume without forming a solution is called imbibition. It is a special type of diffusion.

Complete Answer:
- When water is adsorbed by solids-colloids causing an increase in volume imbibition will take place. It examples like the absorption of water by seeds and dry wood.
- When Solid substances or adsorbents take part in imbibition are called imbibants, seeds and dry wood. The liquid ,used in usually water which is imbibed is known as imbibate.
- The imbible is held in between and over the surface of particles of the solid substance through the processes of capillarity and adsorption.
- When the imbibition is processed, imbibing increases in volume. The swelling is imbibant, it develops a pressure,it is called imbibition pressure or matric potential.
- Imbibition is the diffusion of water along a gradient into an adsorbent.
Hence option C is the correct answer.

Note: Two conditions necessary for imbibition are:
(a) Water potential gradient between the surface of the adsorbent and the liquid imbibed.
(b) Affinity between the adsorbent and the imbibed
liquid.