ROOTS

Roots are the important underground part of all vascular plants. This part of the plant is mainly
responsible for anchoring it down into the ground and absorbing the essential mineral
elements, nutrients, and water from the soil. It is also used to store food.

However, not all plants have their roots underground, some plants have their roots growing
above the ground. These are called aerial roots. Alike underground roots, these aerial roots are
also responsible for absorbing nutrients, anchoring and affixing the plant by supporting them to
the structures such as nearby walls, rocks, trellises, etc.

Few examples of plants with the aerial roots are–Bonsai, Banyan Tree, Mangroves, etc

●​ CHARACTERISTICS:

●​ The root is the descending part of the plant.

●​ Non-green or pale brown in colour.
●​ The roots do not have nodes and internodes.
●​ It doesn't bear leaves and true buds.
●​ They bear unicellular root hairs for absorption.

TYPES OF ROOTS
The root system is generally of two types.They are Taproot and Adventitious
root.

1.​ TAPROOT
Taproots are one of three basic forms of root systems found in plants, the other two being
adventitious and fibrous. They develop from a developing embryo’s radicle. As the radicle of
many plant species dies soon after development, the taproot eventually transforms into the
fibrous root system.

Tap Root Structure

​ A taproot system comprises one thick, cylindrical main root known as the primary root.
Small roots that branch out from the primary root are termed as secondary and tertiary
roots.
 ​ A thin hair-like structure known as a rootlet can be found at the tip of the tertiary root. The
rootlets are essential for soil water absorption.
​ This type of root system is typically deeply established and difficult to remove.
​ Taproots develop in acropetal succession, which means that younger roots grow towards
the growing end of the taproot while older roots grow near the base of the stem.

Any true root will have these four regions – root cap, regions of meristematic activity (cell
division), elongation (lengthens the root as they grow) and maturation (root hairs are formed).
The maturation region is also known as the region of differentiation as the cells mature into
different types of primary tissues.

Functions of Tap Root

The main function of the taproot is to provide deep anchorage. It also aids in the absorption of
nutrients and water from the soil. The other three functions of taproots are:

1.​ Storage – These roots have been modified in such a way that they can store food
produced by the plants. This food is later used by the plant for nutritional purposes amid
adverse environmental circumstances. Example – Turnip.
2.​ Respiration – Plants growing in swamps develop respiratory roots termed
pneumatophores. The surface of the root has microscopic pore-like structures called
pneumathodes that aid in gas exchange. Example – Black mangrove.
3.​ Nitrogen fixation – Some taproots have nodules that are irregularly inflated. They can
pick up free atmospheric nitrogen and convert them into organic compounds with the
help of Rhizobium (nitrogen-fixing bacteria). Example – Groundnut.
4.​ For Support :In some plants like Fiscus religious(peepal),Fiscus elastica(rubber
plant),thick woody laterally compressed horizontal roots arise from the base of the main
stem for additional support.
 TAPROOT DIAGRAM

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TYPES OF TAOROOT:

Tap roots are observed in various shapes. Typical shapes of tap roots are:

●​ Conical – The primary root begins to expand from the base of the stem and
progressively shrinks towards the root’s tip. This sort of root has one swollen end and
one tapering end and looks like a cone. Throughout its length, there are several
thread-like secondary and tertiary roots. Example – Carrot.
●​ Napiform – This fleshy root is thick at the stem’s base and resembles a sphere. The
taproot swells from the stem’s base and tapers suddenly. Example – Turnip.
●​ Fusiform – This type of taproot is tapered at both ends and is wider in the middle. It
resembles a spindle, thickest in the centre and narrowest at the ends. Example – Radish.

A tuberous root is a fleshy root that has been enlarged and adapted to store food. These are
termed the storage taproots and do not take on any certain form or shape.e.g-Mirabills.

Tap Root – Examples

Common examples include:

1.​ Turnip
 2.​ Parsnip
3.​ Beetroot
4.​ Carrot
5.​ Radis

Taproot trees:

1.​ Pines
2.​ Firs
3.​ Oaks
4.​ Jamun tree
5.​ Elms

2.ADVENTITIOUS ROOT

The root that develops from any part of the plant body except the radical is called the
Adventitious root.This root grows shallow and spreads in a larger area rather than
depth. It may be underground or aerial. It forms cluster of roots,which may originate
from the base of the stem or nodes or internodes. The adventitious roots of a plant
along with their branches constitute the adventitious roots system.

In monocots,the primary root of seedling is short-lived and many laterals roots of

equal diameter arise from different parts of the plant such as the base of the
stem,nodes and internodes of the plant. The clusters of adventitious roots having
nearly equal size and length are collectively called fibrous root system. It is
commonly present in monocot plants like wheat,maize,etc.
 ​

●​ Functions of Adventitious Roots

The adventitious roots are modified into various forms and perform special functions
such as storage, support, assimilation and other important functions.
a.For the storage of food: They become fleshy and swollen due to storage of food.

b.For mechanical support

c.For vital functions

●​ Types of Adventitious Roots

1.Tuberous root:Arise from the node of the stem and get swollen without definite
shape.e.g.sweet potato.

2.Fasciculated root:Occur in clusters at the base of

stem.e.g.Asparagus,Dahlia.

3.Moniform or Beaded root:Swell at regular intervals giving a beaded like

appearance.e.g.Dioscorea(yam).

4.Nodulose root:Swell at the tip.e.g.Curcuma domestica(turmeric).

5.Palmate root: Branches of root Swell giving an appearance like a palm.e.g.Orchis.

 ●​ Parts of Roots:

A typical plant root system has 4 main regions:the region of roots cap,the region of
meristem,region of elongation and region of maturation. Each region of the root has
specific functions. Except the region of root cap,other 3 regions are collectively
known as ‘region of root tip’.

1.The Region of Root Cap(Calyptra):

cap:
●​ The apex of the root is covered by a thimble-like structure called root cap.

●​ It is multicellular and parenchymatous.

●​ It protects the tender apex of the root as it makes its way through the soil.

●​ They are rich in Golgi vesicles.

●​ Due to the presence of the root cap at the apex, the growth of the root is subterminal.

2. Region of meristematic activity:

●​ This layer is a few millimetres above the root cap.

●​ It consists of thin-walled meristematic cells having dense protoplasm and a

prominent nucleus.

●​ These cells divide very rapidly to produce new cells.

3. Region of elongation:
 ●​ The cells proximal to the meristematic region undergo rapid elongation and
enlargement.

●​ Responsible for the increase in the length of the root.

4. Region of maturation:
●​ It lies proximal to the region of elongation.

●​ Here, the elongated cells finally get differentiated and mature.

●​ Some of the epidermal cells of this region differentiate to form fine, delicate and
thread-like structures called the root hairs.

●​ Root hairs help to increase the surface area of absorption of water and minerals from
the soil.

●​ Basic Functions of Roots:

1.Root system provides fixation to the plant.
2.Absorbs water and minerals from the soil.
3.Store food materials.
4.Conducts the and minerals to the base of stem through xylem.