What is the water potential of salty water?

The water potential of salty water is typically lower than that of pure water due to the presence of solutes, specifically sodium and chloride ions in the salt. Water potential ((Ψ)) is comprised of solute potential ((Ψ_s)) and pressure potential ((Ψ_p)), where salty water has a negative solute potential because of the dissolved salts. As a result, salty water has a lower water potential, making it less favorable for water to move into the solution from surrounding areas. This is why plants in saline environments often struggle to absorb water.