Transport In Plants

Step 1: Evaluate the Assertion (A).
Xylem transports water and dissolved minerals from the roots to aerial parts of the plant.
This function is carried out mainly by tracheids and vessels, which are dead cells.
Hence, Assertion (A) is correct.
Step 2: Evaluate the Reason (R).
Sieve plates are not present in xylem.
Sieve plates are characteristic of phloem sieve tube elements, which transport food (not water).
Xylem vessels have pits, not sieve plates.
Therefore, Reason (R) is incorrect.
Step 3: Final Evaluation.
A is correct but R is incorrect. Hence, option (3) is correct.