Nematodes can impair a plant's ability to absorb which of the following?

Nematodes can impair a plant's ability to absorb water and nutrients primarily through their impact on the plant's root system. These microscopic roundworms can invade and damage the roots, leading to a reduction in the plant's capacity to take up essential resources from the soil. When nematodes infest the roots, they cause lesions and galling, which disrupt normal root function and structure. As a result, the plant struggles to absorb adequate amounts of water and nutrients, which are crucial for its growth, development, and overall health.

The other options do not directly relate to the impairment caused by nematodes. For instance, while sunlight and carbon dioxide are vital for photosynthesis, they are not absorbed through the roots and thus are not impacted by nematode infestations. Soil minerals, although important for plant nutrition, are often included in the broader category of nutrients. Therefore, the specific mention of water and nutrients more accurately describes the primary impact of nematodes on plant absorption capabilities.