Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Plant tissues responsible for the transport of materials are called vascular tissues.
There are two primary types of vascular tissues in higher plants: xylem and phloem.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The xylem primarily conducts water and dissolved minerals from the roots upward to the stems and leaves of the plant.
The phloem, on the other hand, is responsible for the translocation of prepared food (like sucrose and amino acids) from the leaves to other parts of the plant.
Therefore, the function specifically assigned to the xylem is the transport of water.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (D).