In botany, a root is the portion of a vascular plant that is generally found underground. Its principal duties are to serve as an anchor for the plant, to absorb water and dissolved minerals and transport them to the stem, and to store reserve foods. The root differs from the stem primarily in that it lacks leaf scars and buds, as well as the presence of a root cap and the presence of branches that arise from internal tissue rather than buds.
In vascular plants, the roots are the organs of the plant that have been adapted to provide anchorage for the plant as well as to take in water and nutrients into the plant body, allowing the plant to grow higher and more quickly. Roots are most typically found below the surface of the soil, but they can also be aerial or aerating, which means that they can grow up above the earth or, more specifically, above water.
Various types of root systems
The following are the various types of root systems:
Taproot: A taproot is the principal root of a primary root system that grows vertically downward. Dandelion taproots are produced by the majority of dicotyledonous plants (see cotyledon), and some taproots, such as the edible roots of carrots and beets, are specifically adapted for food storage.
Fibrous root: A fibrous root system differs from a taproot system in that it has no taproot. It is typically created by the growth of thin, modestly branched roots from the stem of the plant. A fibrous root system is found in all monocotyledonous plants and ferns, regardless of their species. When the tree has achieved full age, the fibrous root systems resemble a carpet formed entirely of roots.
Adventitious roots: Adventitious roots are plant roots that form from any no root tissue and are produced both during normal development (crown roots on cereals and nodal roots on strawberry [Fragaria spp.]) and in response to stress conditions, such as flooding, nutrient deprivation, and wounding. Adventitious roots are also known as lateral roots.
Structure of root
There are three distinct portions or zones in a typical root, which are as follows: the meristematic zone, the zone of elongation, and the zone of differentiation. The meristematic zone, called after the apical meristem, is characterised by fast mitotic division of plant cells, which results in the formation of new cells for root growth. Once these new cells reach the zone of elongation, they begin to lengthen, providing the root with additional length, which is not surprising. Among the mature, specialised cells found in the zone of differentiation are phloem, xylem, and root hairs, among others.
Morphology of root
Roots only grow in length from the ends of their stems. It is important to note that a thimble-shaped root cap is present at the very tip of the root, which serves to protect the growing tip as it travels through the soil. Apical meristems are found just behind the root cap, and they are made up of cells that are actively dividing. However, while some of the cells produced by the apical meristem are incorporated into the root cap, the vast majority of them are incorporated into the zone of elongation, which is located just above the meristematic region. The region of elongation is where the process of lengthening takes place. The region of maturation is located above the elongation zone, and it is here that the primary tissues of the root mature, finishing the process of cell differentiation that actually begins in the upper portion of the meristematic region and continues throughout the root.
Functions of roots
It is their task to provide three key functions: to absorb water and minerals, to anchor and support the plant, and to store food.
Absorption of water and minerals by epidermal cells and root hairs: Thin-walled epidermal cells and root hairs are well-suited for absorbing water and dissolved minerals from soil. Many plants’ roots form a mycorrhizal association with fungi, which allows for increased absorption of nutrients.
Secondly, root systems assist plants in anchoring to the ground and supporting them as they grow taller without tipping over on themselves. In older roots, a tough layer may replace the epidermis, resulting in roots that are rope-like and even tougher. Some roots, as illustrated in the illustration below, have odd specialisations for anchoring plants.
Food storage: Ground tissues in the roots of many plants serve to store the food that is created by the leaves during photosynthesis. The bloodroot seen in the illustration below stores nourishment in its roots throughout the duration of the winter season.
Conclusion
Plants have unique organs that enable them to live and reproduce in a wide range of environmental conditions. The roots, stems, and leaves of most plants are the most important organs.
Roots are vital organs in all vascular plants, and they play a key role in their survival. There are two types of roots found in most vascular plants: primary roots that grow downward and secondary roots that branch out to the side. A plant’s root system is made up of all of the roots that the plant has.
The primary tasks of the root are the absorption of water and plant nutrients, as well as the anchoring of the plant’s body to the soil.