2 Week 4-6

Lesson Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
1. Describe the Plant Morphology- the root;
2. Identify the type of the roots, region or parts of the roots, the modified
roots, and the functions of the roots.

This lesson Focused on the plant morphology-the stem. The lesson focused on
the type of the roots (tap root and adventitious root); the region of the roots where
either the root belongs to a tap root system or adventitious root system; the
modified roots which is both tap roots and adventitious roots may undergo
modification to carry out some special functions; and the functions of the roots
may be broadly classified into two categories – Mechanical and Physiological.

1. Root
The root is the descending axis of the plant. The root system normally
lies under ground and consists of the main root and the lateral roots.
Root-ends are protected either by root caps or root pockets.

1.1. Types of roots

➢ Tap root (Normal or main)- The root that develops from the radicle (a
little root being the part of axis within the embryo) is called normal
root. The direct prolongation of the radicle forms the primary root.
When the primary root becomes stronger and persistent, it forms tap
 root. As tap root grows it produces lateral branches known as the
secondary roots and the later in turn produces the tertiary roots.
➢ Adventitious root- Roots that grow from any part of the plant body
other than the radicle are called adventitious roots. Adventitious roots
are of following types-
1. Fibrous roots of monocotyledons- When the primary root
does not persist, a cluster of slender roots are seen to grow
from the base of the stem; such roots are called fibrous root.
2. Foliar roots- Roots that develop directly from the leaves
3. True adventitious roots-Roots that develop from the nodes
and inter nodes of the stem.

1.2. Regions or parts of the root

The root either belonging to a tap root system or adventitious root system
shows the following distinct regions or zones.
➢ Root cap region- The apex of the root is protected by a thin cushion
or cap of tissue known as root cap. Its function is to protect delicate
root tip as it makes way through the soil.
➢ Growing region or zone of elongation- This region lies just behind
the root cap region. In this region growth of roots takes place by cell
divisions and cell elongation. According to some authors, this region
consists of two zones, namely, (a) zone of cell division, and (b) zone of
cell elongation.
➢ Root hair region-This region lies just above the growing region and is
covered by unicellular root hairs. The root hairs absorb water and
solute from the soil besides providing a little anchorage.
➢ Permanent region- All the remaining portions of the root beyond the
root hair zone come under this region. Function of permanent region
is to conduct the substances absorbed by root hair besides providing
anchorage.

1.3. Modified roots

Both tap roots and adventitious roots may undergo modification to carry
out some special functions.

1.3.1. Modified tap root (for storage of food)

These roots are fleshy and swollen due to accumulation of food. Modified
tap roots are of four types.
➢ Fusiform Root- The tap or primary root is swollen in the middle and
tapering at both ends, e.g. Radish
➢ Conical Root- The root is broad at the base and gradually tapers
towards the apex like a cone, e.g. Carrot.
 ➢ Napiform Root-The root is considerably swollen at the upper part
becoming almost spherical and sharply tapering at the lower part, e.g.
Turnip and Beet.
➢ Tuberous or Tubercular Root-The root is thick and fleshy but does not
maintain any particular shape; e.g. Mirabilis, Ruellia tuberose,
Tapioca, some species of Dahlia etc.

1.3.2. Modified branch Root (for respiration)

Pneumatophores or breathing roots – These are modified branches of
tap root system growing from underground roots of the plant but rising
up above the soil. They have pores to allow entry of atmospheric air for
respiration. Many plants growing in estuaries and salt lakes develop
pneumatophores.

1.3.3. Modified Adventitious Root

a. For Storage of Food
➢ Tuberous roots- This is a swollen root without any definite shape, as
in sweet potato. These roots arise from the nodes of the prostrate stem.
➢ Fasciculated roots – When several tubercular roots occur in a cluster
of fascicles at the base of the stem, they are said to constitute
fasciculated roots; e.g. Dalhia, asperagous etc.
➢ Nodulose roots- When the slender root becomes suddenly swollen at
or near the apex, it is said to be nodulose ; as in mango, ginger (amada)
turmeric (holud) etc.
➢ Moniliform or beaded roots- Roots are alternately swollen and
constricted at regular intervals presenting a beaded appearance; e.g.
Indian spinach (Basella;pui) ,Momordica (kakrol), Wild vine (amal
lota), Dioscorea alata etc.
➢ Annulated roots- The root has a series of ring-like swellings on its
body. e.g. Ipecac.

b. For Mechanical Support

➢ Prop or Stilt Roots – In many species of Ficus (e.g banyan), india-
rubber plant, screwpine, Rhizophora etc. adventitious roots are
produced from the main stem and often from the branches. They grow
vertically or obliquely downwards and penetrate the earth. Gradually
they become stouter and act as pillars to support the weight of the
main stem and the branches of the plant.
➢ Climbing Roots – These roots develop from nodes and internodes and
allow the plants to climb up walls or any other support. Examples are
Piper betel, long peeper, black peeper, pothos etc. These roots act like
foothold for the climber plants to climb up the support.
➢ Clinging roots – They are special kinds of short attaching roots.
Developing from the stem these roots penetrate into cracks and
 crevices in the bark of supporting plant for additional fixation, e.g
Hedera helix, epiphytic orchids like Vanda roxburghii.

c. For vital functions

➢ Assimilatory Roots – Branches of Tinospora (Gulancha) climbing on
neighbouring trees produce long slender hanging roots which develop
chlorophyll and turn green in colour. These green roots are assimilatory
roots as they do carbon assimilation (absorb carbon dioxide from air
and produce carbohydrate food).

(Source: http://www.floridata.com/)
Prop roots of Ficus benghalensis

(Source: http://www.botgard.ucla.edu/ )
Climbing roots - Adventitious roots of Philodendron (family Araceae) enable this
species to cling tightly to the bark of a woody stem.

➢ Sucking Roots, Parasitic Roots or Haustoria – In some parasitic

plants like species of Cuscuta (Swarnalata), small adventitious root-like
structures, i.e rootlets called haustoria or sucking roots develop from
stems of the parasites. These roots penetrate the tissues of the host
plant and suck the latter. The parasite thus lives by sucking the host
plant with the help of sucking roots.
➢ Epiphytic Roots – Certain plants, commonly orchids, grow on
branches of trees. These plants, known as epiphytes, do not suck the
host plant as parasites do. The epiphytes develop aerial roots of special
kind which hang freely in the air. Such hanging root is provided with
an outer cover of spongy tissue called velamen. With the help of
velamen, the hanging root absorbs moisture from air. These roots also
serve as assimilatory organs by virtue of chloroplast present below the
velamen coating.
➢ Reproductive Roots – Sometimes the roots produce adventitious buds
which help in propagation as in many species of Agave. Vegetative
reproduction by root-cutting is common in Ipomea batatas,
Trichosanthes dioica etc. These roots are called reproductive roots.
➢ Mycorrhizal or saprophytic roots – These roots are infested with
fungal mycelia. Plants growing in humus have mycorrhizal roots and
such plants are called mycorrhizal saprophytes, e.g., Pinus sp. Betula
sp. etc. Mycorrhizal saprophytes draw nutrition from humus soil with
the help of fungal mycelia.

1.4 Functions of Root

Functions may be broadly classified into two categories – (1)
Mechanical and (2) Physiological. Besides, roots have special functions
which they perform by adaptation to modified forms which have been
discussed earlier.

1.4.1 Mechanical Function – Roots serve the mechanical function of fixation,

that is, fixation of the plant to the soil. The tap root that goes deep into
the soil and the lateral roots spreading out in all directions provide
anchorage and support to the plant. In case of monocotyledons, the
fibrous roots provide the anchorage.

1.4.2 Physiological Function

➢ Absorption – This is the most important physiological function. With
the help of root- hairs the roots absorb water and necessary organic
salts.
➢ Conduction – The roots take part in the process of conduction of water
and mineral salts upwards to the stem and ultimately to leaf.
➢ Storage – The roots store certain amount of food in the mature or
permanent region. As the roots grow, this stored food is utilized.