Dicot and Monocot Root

Dicots and monocots are two types of plants in which their roots are different. Plants with dicot roots have a taproot, meaning that their roots spread out from the center, such as carrots and tomatoes. Monocot plants have fibrous root systems (roots that branch out) like grasses and lilies Monocot plants with fibrous root systems have fewer water channels than dicots, which allows them to survive with less water and in hotter climates. On the other hand, dicot plants need more water because they have many channels that pull up water and nutrients from the soil.

What are Dicot Roots?

Dicot plants are also called “dicots” or “dicotyledons”. The term dicot comes from the Greek word dikot , which means two-seed. Each dicot seed has a cotyledon, a small embryonic leaf that later becomes the basis for the plant’s food storage.

Before germination, the dicots’ embryo forms two cotyledons, one on each side of the seed. The cotyledon is then eaten by animals or decomposes while in the ground so that its remains provide nutrition to the young plant when it germinates. Dicots have both taproot and fibrous roots.

Features of Dicot Roots

1) Dicot plant has a main root, called the taproot, which grows straight down into the soil. 

2) A dicot plant has secondary roots that grow horizontally out of the taproot in all directions. 

3) Each secondary root branches into more roots and each new root also branches. These smaller branches become even smaller. These are called “hair roots”. The hair roots of a dicot plant are very fine and small and can absorb nutrients from deep in the soil.

4) Dicot plants also have a fibrous root system that is created by multiple interconnected roots growing in many different directions.

5) There are also dicot plants that have no taproots and only fibrous roots.

6) The size of a root system depends on its job. Roots growing deeply in the soil will be bigger than surface roots. A large taproot gathers important nutrients from deeper in the soil, while finer hair roots absorb water and minerals from the top layers of soil.

7) Some crops like carrots and potatoes have a long taproot that grows down deep for water and nutrients.

What are Monocot Roots?

Monocots, also called monocotyledons, are flowering plants that have only one embryonic leaf, or cotyledon. The term monocot comes from the Greek word monekotos, which means single-seed.

Monocot plants rely on their fibrous roots for nutrient and water absorption. Monocots do not have a taproot or secondary roots like dicots

Features of Monocot Roots

1) Monocot plant does not have a taproot or secondary roots but instead grows long horizontal fibrous root systems that spread out in all directions from the centre of the plant. 

2) A typical monocot has little or no root hairs.

3) The roots of a monocot plant are loosely attached to the soil rather than attached by a taproot or fibrous root hairs.

4) If you pull one of the monocot roots up, many more loose roots will come out of the ground.

5) Monocots also have many different types of aerial roots. These aerial roots may wind around and cover other plants to grow faster. Aerial roots can also get over fences or walls and continue to grow from there.

6) Monocot plants rely on their fibrous root system for nutrition and water absorption.

Dicot and Monocot Root: Difference

1) Dicot plants have a taproot which grows straight down into the soil.

2) Dicot plants also have secondary roots that grow horizontally out of the taproot in all directions.

3) Each secondary root branches into more roots and each new root also branches. These smaller branches become even smaller. These are called “hair roots”. The hair roots of a dicot plant are very fine and small and can absorb nutrients from deep in the soil.

4) Dicots do not have aerial roots like monocots. Aerial roots grow on a plant’s stem or branches, but they are not connected to a plant’s main root system or fibrous root system on the ground.

5) Dicots do not have a fibrous root system like monocots.

6) Dicot plants require more water because they have many channels that pull up water and nutrients from the soil.

7) Monocots do not need more water because they have a fibrous root system and it absorbs nutrients from deep in the soil.

8) The size of a root system depends on its job. A large taproot gathers important nutrients from deeper in the soil, while smaller hair roots absorb water and minerals from the top layers of soil.

9) Some crops like carrots and potatoes have a long taproot that grows down deep for water and nutrients.

Conclusion

Dicots and monocots are two types of plants in which their roots are different. Plants with dicot roots have a taproot, meaning that their roots spread out from the center, such as carrots and tomatoes. Monocot plants have fibrous root systems (roots that branch out) like grasses.

Monocots have aerial roots that grow on a plant’s stem or branches, but they are not connected to a plant’s main root system or fibrous root system on the ground.

Monocot plants do not need more water because they have a fibrous root system and it absorbs nutrients from deep in the soil.