Root Modifications and Examples

Adventitious root modifications can be explained as?

• Root tubers

• Support

• Capable of Photosynthesis

• Absorption of Food

What is a tuberous root?

• Clusters of adventitious roots growing from stem nodes, swollen with indefinite shape. Example: Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatus).

• A type of root that stores nutrients and has a defined shape, such as carrots.

• Roots that grow deep into the soil to access water and nutrients, like taproots.

• A type of root that primarily serves for anchoring the plant, without nutrient storage.

Significance of adventitious roots:

• They primarily absorb water and minerals from the soil.

• They can provide support, store nutrients, and sometimes perform photosynthesis.

• They are responsible for the plant's reproductive processes.

• They mainly serve as a means of vegetative propagation.

Type of root modification found in sweet potatoes:

• Tuberous root

• Fibrous root

• Tap root

• Adventitious root

Example of contractile root

• Crocus sativus (Saffron)

• Zea mays (Corn)

• Solanum tuberosum (Potato)

• Beta vulgaris (Beetroot)

Breathing roots

• Another term for floating roots.

• Roots that absorb water from the air.

• Roots that grow above the ground.

• Roots that store nutrients.

Examples of root buttresses

• Terminalia arjuna and Bombax malabarica

• Quercus robur and Pinus sylvestris

• Ficus elastica and Acer saccharum

• Carya ovata and Betula alleghaniensis

Stilt root

• Adventitious roots arise from the lower nodes of the plant, penetrating the soil to provide additional support.

• Roots that grow above the ground to absorb moisture from the air.

• Roots that store nutrients and energy for the plant.

• Roots that grow horizontally to spread out and stabilize the plant.

Example of a plant with nodulose roots:

• Mango ginger (Curcuma)

• Bamboo

• Cactus

• Oak tree

Examples of climbing roots

• Piper nigrum (Pepper)

• Rosa rubiginosa (Sweet Briar)

• Cucumis sativus (Cucumber)

• Zea mays (Corn)