a method for efficiently delivering an aqueous solution to plants includes positioning a distal portion of a microporous hydrophobic tubing coated with a hydrophilic polymer adjacent a root system of a plant and channeling an aqueous solution from an inlet to the distal portion through a lumen . the tubing along the distal portion has a porosity adapted for permitting a flow of the aqueous solution therethrough when acted upon by a surfactant root exudate generated by the roots due to water stress . the aqueous solution is held in a reservoir , from which it can be channeled to the hydrophilic device &# 39 ; s inlet . a nutrient solution can also be channeled to the plant roots via additional tubing .