Root Modifications

The roots are the organs found in vascular plants that have been modified to supply water and nutrients to the plant body, which in turn allows the plants to grow taller more quickly.

The majority of the time, they are found below the surface of the soil, but some of the roots may be aerial, which means they can be found growing above the soil surface.

The roots of a plant are extremely important structural components.

They primarily serve as soil anchors and aid in the absorption and transportation of nutrients from the soil.

There are primarily two types of root systems: underground and aboveground. 

They are as follows:

• Tap root system  
• Adventitious root system

Roots, on the other hand, can perform additional functions in some plants, such as storing food and providing support to weak stems or tall trees.

In some plants, they also aid in the exchange of gases between the various chambers. 

The morphology and structure of the tap roots and adventitious roots are altered in order for them to carry out these additional functions.

Tap roots and adventitious roots are examples of this.

Modifications to Tap Roots

To store food: 

The fleshy taproots of some plants develop as a result of the storage of food in reserve. 

Unlike the main root, which is thick and stores excess food, secondary roots are thin and are responsible for mineral absorption from the soil. The swollen roots can be found in a variety of shapes. Tap roots can be classified into the following types based on their shapes:

1.Conical

One of the most distinguishing characteristics of the main root is that it is conical in shape, with a broad base that tapers gradually toward the tip. Take, for example, carrots.

2.Napiform – This tap root has a spherical shape and tapers sharply at the tip, indicating that it is a type of tap root. Turnip and beetroot are examples of root vegetables.

3.Fusiform–

The main root is swollen in the middle and tapers at both ends, forming a fusiform shape. A good example is the radish.

4.Tuberous – This root does not have a distinct form. It swells up and becomes fleshy. An example is a plant that blooms at 4 o’clock.

Nitrogen Fixation

Nodular roots – 

Leguminous plants like peas, groundnuts, beans, and grams have root nodules . 

These nodules are home to nitrogen-fixing bacteria known as Rhizobium, which convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrates and provide them to the plant’s roots. 

It is believed that the red colour of the nodules is caused by the presence of a pigment known as leg- haemoglobin. 

The bacteria, in turn, benefit from the shelter and nutrients provided by the plant.

Adventitious Roots

The storage of food also causes adventitious roots to become swollen, which is another side effect of food storage. 

These are classified into the following categories.

1.Tobulose – These roots are swollen but do not have a distinct shape. They are formed by the nodes of the prostate stem elongating the stem. 

Example – sweet potato.

2.Fasciculated – The swollen roots develop in clusters at the base of the stem and take on distinct shapes as they develop. Dahlias and asparagus are just a couple of examples.

3.Nodulose – Only the tips of the roots swell as a result of the accumulation of food in this type of root. Mango-ginger and arrowroot are two such examples.

4.Moniliform (Beaded Roots) – The roots are swollen at regular intervals, giving the appearance of being beaded on the surface. Grasses and bitter gourds are examples of such plants.

5.Annulated – The roots appear to be made up of a number of discs that have been stacked one on top of the other. Ipecac is a good example.

Modifications Of Adventitious Roots

For the purpose of food preservation

Adventitious roots are transformed into the following:

Tuberous in its most basic form The roots are swollen and have lost their ability to assume any shape. Take, for example, sweet potatoes.

Nodulose Roots are made up of individual beads. They become swollen at the apex and take on a distinct shape, for example, a ginger root.

Fasciculated Tuberous Roots are a group of adventitious roots that are used for food preservation. They have a distinct shape, for example, the Dahlia.

Moniliform Grasses, for example, have swollen and constricted roots.

Annulated Roots, for example, Ipecac, have the appearance of discs stacked one on top of the other.

For Support

Prop roots are those that develop from the tree’s branches, hang downwards, and penetrate into the ground, thereby supporting the tree’s weight. Example-Banyan tree roots. 

Stilt Roots: These roots emerge from the base of the stem in an oblique fashion. For example, the roots of the sugarcane plant.

‘Climbing Roots’ are roots that grow from the nodes and attach themselves to a support in order to climb up and around it. As a result, they provide assistance to the plant. For example, a money plant.

Clinging Roots: These roots penetrate the crevices of a support structure and anchor the plant in place. For example, epiphytes and orchids

Buttress Roots: These are the vertically elongated basal parts of the stem that spread in a variety of directions in the soil when planted. 

These have been compressed horizontally and appear to be planks in appearance. For example, Bombax.

Some plants have roots that change their shape and become modified in order to absorb and transport water and minerals from the soil to various parts of the plant’s structure.

 They have also been modified to provide support, food storage, and breathing capabilities.

There are two major functions performed by the root modifications: physiologic and mechanical.

Conclusion

As well as these functions, let’s take a look at what the roots are beneficial for and how they protect the environment-The distribution of plant roots in the soil is determined by the shape of the plant. It is most common for the deepest roots to be found in deserts and temperate coniferous forests.The depth of the roots can be as great as the height of the tree.The temperature of the soil is a factor that influences plant growth.Plant-to-plant interaction takes place in the soil as a medium. The roots play an important role in predicting the environment because they hold soil particles together and prevent soil erosion from occurring.