Types of Roots

Roots are helpful for the plants as they provide support to the stems as well as absorb water and minerals from the soil. Roots also store food materials. The root system is present in two types. They are primary root and secondary root.

Primary root originates from the embryo and is also called as taproot system. The branches of the tap root system are fibrous and are known as secondary roots. The primary root system of plant lives for a short period and it is followed by the secondary root system. The secondary roots are permanent roots in monocots like grasses. The roots from rhizomes, bulbs, corms, and tubers are adventitious roots. They also arise from the aerial stems as well as from the stem cuttings and root cuttings. The plants like Ficus, Rhizophora, and Pandanus sps., extend down the adventitious roots such that these roots act as support to the horizontal branches.

Root hairs are specialized extensions of the cells that can penetrate into the soil particles. The outer wall of the cell is expanded and forms an outgrowth tubular in shape. This outgrowth will make contact with the soil and absorb minerals and water from the soil. The mineral nutrients and water move from the soil into the root hairs followed by their entry into the rootlets and then into the main root which transports water and minerals into the stem and leaves. A number of root hairs are formed at the tip of the roots and they are short-lived in most of the plants. The transplantation of plants from one place to another has to be done carefully to avoid the loss of these root hairs which help in the proper absorption of water and minerals.