Root

Primary and secondary cotton roots

CSIRO ScienceImage 11626 Barley root

Ranunculus Root Cross Section.png

Kiental entre Herrsching y Andechs, Alemania 2012-05-01, DD 12

Tree Roots at Riverside

Root of a Tree.JPG

Root

A root is the part of a vascular plant that typically lies below the surface of the soil. Roots can also be aerial or aerating, that is, growing up above the ground or especially above water. Furthermore, a root is a critical organ for the plant's absorption of water and nutrients, anchorage, and storage of food and nutrients.

Types of Roots

Roots are generally classified into two main types:

• Taproot: A large, central, and dominant root from which other roots sprout laterally. Typically found in dicotyledon plants.
• Fibrous root system: A network of roots that are roughly the same size, commonly found in monocotyledon plants.

Functions of Roots

Roots perform several essential functions:

• Anchorage: Roots anchor the plant body to the ground, providing physical support.
• Absorption: Roots absorb water and essential nutrients from the soil.
• Storage: Roots store food and nutrients, which can be used by the plant during periods of scarcity.
• Transport: Roots transport water and nutrients to the rest of the plant.

Root Structure

The structure of a root can be divided into different zones:

• Root Cap: A protective structure that covers the tip of the root.
• Meristematic Zone: The region where new cells are produced.
• Elongation Zone: The area where cells elongate and push the root tip forward.
• Maturation Zone: The region where cells differentiate into various types of tissues.

Specialized Roots

Some plants have specialized roots that perform unique functions:

• Adventitious roots: Roots that grow from an organ other than the root, usually a stem or leaf.
• Aerial roots: Roots that are exposed to the air and often found in epiphytes.
• Storage roots: Roots that store large amounts of nutrients, such as carrots and sweet potatoes.

Root Symbiosis

Roots often engage in symbiotic relationships with other organisms:

• Mycorrhiza: A symbiotic association between a fungus and the roots of a vascular plant.
• Rhizobia: Nitrogen-fixing bacteria that form symbiotic relationships with legumes.

Root Diseases

Roots can be affected by various diseases, which can impact the overall health of the plant:

• Root rot: A condition caused by overwatering or poor drainage, leading to the decay of root tissues.
• Nematodes: Microscopic worms that can cause significant damage to roots.

See Also

• Stem
• Leaf
• Flower
• Photosynthesis
• Soil