❖ The underground part of the flowering
plant is the root system.
❖ The portion above the ground forms
the shoot system.
ROOT
✓ Direct elongation of the radicle leads to the formation of primary root which grows inside
the soil.
✓ It bears lateral roots of several orders that are referred to as secondary, tertiary, etc. roots
Properties of ROOT:
✓ Arises from Radical part of Cotyledon.
✓ Positive Hydrotropic. (+ve)
✓ Positive Geotropic. (+ve)
✓ Negative Phototropic. (-ve)
Functions of ROOT:
Primary Functions: (i) Absorption of water and minerals from the soil
(ii) providing a proper anchorage to the plant parts
Secondary Functions: (i) storing reserve food material
(ii) synthesis of plant growth regulators
✓ The root is covered at the apex by a thimble-like structure called the Root Cap
root cap.
✓ It protects the tender apex of the root as it makes its way through the soil.
The primary root is short lived
and is replaced by a large
number of roots. originate from the base of the stem.
As per Government Textbook (Other than NCERT):
Modifications of tap root :
(i) Food storage :
a) Fusiform root - swollen in the middle and tapering towards both ends
forming spindle shaped structure.
e.g., Radish (Raphanus sativus)
b) Conical root - broad at its morphological base and narrows down towards
its apex is called as conical root.
e.g., Carrot (Daucus carota)
c) Napiform root - base of root is highly swollen, almost spherical in shape
and abruptly narrows down towards its apex.
e.g., Beet (Beta vulgaris)
(ii) For Respiration : (Pneumatophores or Respiratory Roots )
Halophytes are the plants which grow in saline swamps, marshy places and
salt lakes.
These plants produce special kind of roots called as pneumatophores or
breathing roots.
Modifications of Adventitious Roots :
(i) Food storage :
a) Simple tuberous roots - swollen and do not show definite shape, produced singly.
E.g., sweet potato or Shakarkand (Ipomoea batatas).
b) fasciculated tuberous root - A cluster of roots arising from one point which becomes thick
and fleshy .
E.g., Dahlia, Asparagus
c) moniliform roots - beaded roots, swellings at regular intervals like beads of a necklace.
E.g., Spinacia oleracea (Indian Spinach).
d) nodulose roots - roots become enlarged at the tips forming
E.g., Arrow (Maranta root) Amhaldi (Curcuma amada)
(ii) For mechanical support :
1. Prop roots/ Columnar roots : E.g., Banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis)
2. Stilt roots : E.g., Maize, Jowar, Sugarcane etc
3. Climbing roots : E.g., Betel leaf (Pan), black pepper or Piper nigrum, money plant.
4. Clinging Roots : E.g., Ivy (Hedera helix)
5. Plank Roots/Buttresses : E.g., Silk cotton, Pipal (Ficus religiosa) etc.
6. Buoyont roots : E.g., Jussiaea repens
(iii) For special functions :
1. Epiphytic roots : Growing on the branches of huge trees, roots are provided with velamen
tissue (absorb moisture from air), hygroscopic in nature.
E.g., Orchids, Vanda, Dendrobium etc.
2. Sucking roots or Haustoria : Parasitic plants to absorb nourishment from the host
E.g., Viscum album, Cuscuta reflexa or Dodder (Amarvel) etc.
Cucumber, pumpkins, watermelon, grapevines
Opuntia, Euphorbia
Citrus, Bougainvillea.
Dioscorea, Agave
Asparagus, Ruscus
Cynodon (Grass), strawberry
Mint, jasmine, Strawberry
Pistia and Eichhornia
banana, pineapple, Chrysanthemum
Ginger, Turmeric, Lotus etc.
potato
zaminkand, Colocasia
Onion, Garlic
E.g., China Rose
E.g., Brassica
E.g., Datura
E.g., Rose
