Characteristics of the Root

The root is the basic and foremost important part of any plant. It designs the overall structure of every plant. The root is usually an underground part of the plant that maintains a direct association with soil. In other words, we can say that the root part is the mediator between the soil and whole plants. It mediates the talk between two surroundings: the part beneath the soil and the part above the soil. 

The root is the descending portion of the plant axis. It also defines the existence and strength of any plant. Roots have numerous functions that should be performed to maintain the proper growth and development of every plant. It is also responsible for the plants’ fixation. 

Roots always grow in response to gravity and, hence, are positively geotropic. It is never differentiated into nodes and internodes. But based on branching patterns, they may be divided into two: primary root and secondary root. As we normally see, root parts do not bear any leaves and tree buds over them. It has some delicate and thread-like structures commonly known as root hairs. These root hairs play a major role in the absorption of water and minerals from the soil. 

Types of Root Systems

On the basis of structural modifications, the root system is generally of two types. These are:

1. Taproot System

In gymnosperm and dicotyledon plants, the elongation of the radicle directly leads to the formation of primary roots. These are long-lived and grow inside the soil. Such primary roots and their lateral branches form the taproot system. The taproot also performs the function of food storage. Some plants like mustard, carrot, and turnip have the taproot system. 

1. Fibrous Root System

In grasses and monocotyledons, the primary root is short-lived and the branching of the root occurs from the base axis of the stem. This type of root system is surrounded by a network of roots that do not originate from the primary root but from the base part of the stem. For example, the wheat plant. 

In some plants, such as the banyan tree and monstera, roots originate from different parts of plants other than radicles. This type of root is referred to as the adventitious root. These roots are found on underground stems, such as tubers, rhizomes, and corms. 

Modification of the Root

Majorly, roots have a specific function in the absorption and conduction of minerals, nutrients, and water from the soil. But other than this, roots modified their structure in order to provide support, respiration, and storage of food to the plant parts. Some of them are detailed below:

• The hanging structure of a banyan tree provides support to it, these structures are prop roots. 
• In mangrove plants like Rhizophora that grow in a swampy area, root structures come outside of the soil and grow vertically upward in a direction. These modified structures of the root assist in getting oxygen for respiration and are known as Pneumatophores. 
• The roots of parasitic plants help in the feeding on to host plants and are referred to as haustoria. 
• Some modified roots like stilt roots which are found in sugarcane and maize perform the function of supporting. This modification arises from the lower nodes of the stem. 

Different Parts of the Root

A pointed structure that pierces the root deep into the soil is called a root cap. The root cap protects the growing region of the root from any harm or injury. Above the root cap, there is a region of the apical meristem where the cells are continuously and actively dividing. These dividing cells are deposited into different regions, such as root cap and regions of elongation. 

The region of elongation is found above the region of meristematic activity. This region is responsible for the enlargement and the growth of roots in length. A region proximal to the region of elongation is known as the region of maturation, where the elongated cells are gradually differentiated and mature. From this region, a delicate thread-like structure arises that helps in the proper absorption of water, minerals, and nutrients from the soil. These are the root hairs which are unicellular. 

Essential Characteristics of the Root

Roots have numerous functions in the existence of every plant of any habitat or biome. It is the only part that nourishes a whole plant. Thus, roots have many characteristics. The root lacks the structure of nodes and internodes. It differs from the stem since it does not have leaves. 

The main and crucial role of the root is the absorption of water, nutrients, and minerals from the soil. This provides a proper anchorage to the plant parts. It also helps in the storage of reserve food materials, which are used up by the plants during unfavourable environments. Roots are usually non-green or brownish-red in colour. They are used for synthesising plant growth regulators. 

Conclusion

The root is a part of the plant that serves as a foundation for the whole plant. It is necessary for the existence, support, and nourishment of the plants. It is positively geotropic in nature. Roots have several functions and characteristics. It absorbs the water, nutrients, and minerals from the soil and transported them to various regions of the plant with the help of vascular bundles. 

The modified structures of the roots also perform several functions such as storage of food, respiration, and support to the plant. The different parts of the root consist of a root cap, region of elongation, region of meristematic activity, region of maturation, and root hairs.