To solve this problem, we need to understand the concept of water potential and how the addition of solutes affects it.$\newline \bullet$Water potential (\Psi) is a measure of the potential energy of water in a system compared to pure water, where the water potential is zero.$\newline \bullet$It is influenced by solute concentration and pressure. The formula for water potential is:$\newline \Psi = \Psi_s + \Psi_p \newline \bullet$Where \Psi_s is the solute potential (also called osmotic potential) and \Psi_p is the pressure potential.$\newline \bullet$The solute potential (\Psi_s) is always negative or zero, as solutes lower the potential energy of water.$\newline \bullet$When more solutes are added to a solution, the solute potential (\Psi_s) becomes more negative.$\newline \bullet$As a result, the overall water potential (\Psi) decreases, because \Psi_s contributes negatively to \Psi.$\newline$Therefore, the addition of more solutes in a given solution will lower its water potential.$\newline$This corresponds to Option 2.