Open In App

Root System in Plants – Types and Functions of Root

Improve
Improve
Like Article
Like
Save
Share
Report

The Root System in Plants is an intricate network of structures that allows the transport of nutrients and water. A root is a piece of a vascular plant typically present under the ground. Its essential functions include ingestion of water and disintegrated minerals, conduction of these to the stem, and capacity to hold food varieties. The root is different from the stem as it lacks leaf scars and buds, has a root cap, and has branches that start from the inner tissue instead of buds.

Taproot and Fibrous Roots are the two major Types of Roots. The taproot is found deep in the soil and the fibrous root remains shallow. The roots function as an anchor and also help absorb minerals and nutrients from the soil.

What is a Root?

The Root is a very important part of all vascular plants. Roots help the plant to interact with the soil and enable the plant to get the essential nutrients, water, and vitamins from the soil. Roots help to get water from the soil which is very important for proper growth and photosynthesis. Different types of modification of roots are seen according to the requirements. Not all plants have roots under the ground, some have roots over the surface. Such roots are known as aerial roots. Aerial roots also provide nutrients, water, and vitamins, and anchor the plant to a wall or rock. 

Characteristics of Root

Following are a few of the characteristics of roots:

  • Chlorophyll is absent in roots, and because of that, they are not green in color.
  • They don’t have nodes and internodes.
  • Root hair is present on the roots, which helps in the absorption of nutrients.
  • Root shows different types of movements
    • Positive Geotropism: Growth of roots towards gravity.
    • Positive Hydrotropism: Growth towards the water.
    • Negative Phototropism: Movement of roots away from sunlight.
  • Roots are protected via root caps at the tips of the root.

The actual tip of the root is covered by a thimble-formed root cap, which protects the developing tip as it clears its path through the dirt. Apical meristem is present directly under the root cap.

Types of Root System

There are two major types of root systems:

  1. Taproot System: The primary roots grow directly from the radicle. The tap root system consists of a single primary root to which small lateral roots, called the root hair are attached. E.g Beetroot, carrot and other dicots all have a taproot.
  2. Fibrous Root System: These are tiny bushy roots which are large in number. They do not go very deep. E.g Monocots such as Rice, Maize and Banana.

Types-of-Root

Various other particular roots exist among vascular plants. Pneumatophores, generally found in Mangroves, are horizontal roots that develop vertically out of the mud and water to work as the site of oxygen absorption. Parasitic plants have penetrating roots called haustoria which insert themselves into host plant to absorb nutrients.

Functions of the Root

Roots perform different roles that are essential for the survival of the plants. Some of them are listed below:

  • Anchoring:  Roots help the plants stay connected to the ground. They support the plant body, guaranteeing that it stands erect.
  • Absorption: The primary function of the roots is to assimilate water and break down minerals from the dirt. This is urgent as it helps during the time spent in Photosynthesis.
  • Storage: Plants produce food through Photosynthesis and save it as starch in the leaves, shoots, and roots.
  • Reproduction: Even though roots are not the regenerative parts of plants, they are vegetative parts. In certain plants, the roots are a method for proliferation. For example, new plants emerge from crawling-level stems called sprinters (stolons) in jasmine, grass, and so forth. This kind of multiplication is called the vegetative spread.
  • Ecological Function: They roots keep an eye on soil disintegration, and give food, and furthermore territory to different organic entities.

Structure of Root

A root is made of three regions- Meristematic region, Region of Elongation and Region of Maturation. The details are given below:

Root Cap

The root is covered at the tip by a thimble-like design. This is known as the root cap. The root cap protects the delicate root tips when it clears its path through the dirt.

Region of Meristematic Activity 

This area is also known as the region of cell division. This area lies a couple of millimeters over the root cap. This is the area of meristematic action. The cells in this district are tiny and have thick cellular material. Since this is the meristematic area, the cells divide quickly.

Regions of Root

Region of Elongation

This area lies above the region of the meristematic movement. The cells close to this region undergo through quick extension and growth. These cells help in the growth of roots.

Region of Maturation

This area lies above the region of Elongation. The root hairs are found in this region. Root hairs are essential for the root epidermis.

Modifications of Root

Plant roots display modifications which enable them to carry out purposes beyond water absorption and anchoring. These modifications occur in the form of adaptations to the environment. For food storage purpose, the roots are modified in case of carrots and sweet potatoes. In plants that are present in swamps, many roots come out upward from the ground. These are empty roots, called pneumatophores. Their function involves the exchange of gases in the roots.

Root-Modification

Difference between Dicot and Monocot Root

The morphology of Dicot and Monocot is different. Monocots vary from dicots in four particular primary highlights: leaves, stems, roots, and flowers. Plants whose seeds contain one cotyledon are called Monocots whereas plants whose seeds contain 2 cotyledons are Dicots.

To know more, refer to the article Difference between Dicot and Monocot Root.

Also Read,

FAQs – Root System in Plants

1.  How many Root Systems are Found in a Plant?

There are two major types of root systems:

  • Taproot System
  • Fibrous root System

2.  Can Plants survive Root Damage?

Most important roots lie in the upper region of the soil within six inches. Some damage if minor, the roots are able to recover in time. But if major area of the root gets damaged, it results in the plant wilting and eventually dying.

3. What is the Root System Responsible for?

The main function of the root system is to help in the absoprtion of water and minerals from the plants. It also helps the plant to stand erect.

4. What is the Main Root of a Plant called?

The main root of the plant is called the primary root or the tap root.

5. What Causes Root Rot? 

Root rot is caused if the plant is present in a soil that has very less water or has an excess of water.



Last Updated : 12 Dec, 2023
Like Article
Save Article
Previous
Next
Share your thoughts in the comments
Similar Reads