Scribd
Upload
37 views

Roots Modification

Uploaded by

abdulrahmansydsaleem
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
37 views

Roots Modification

Uploaded by

abdulrahmansydsaleem
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 15

Collect different types of modified roots from your surroundings

Collect different types of modified roots, stem and leaves from your
surroundings
Introduction
Root :
Root is descending axis of plant body which
is positively geotropic and hydrotropic but
negatively phototropic and aerotropic
Modification of root : When roots have
to perform some special type of
function in addition to or instead of
their normal function they develop
some structural changes.

Modifications of tap root


a.Food storage : When tap root stores
food it becomes swollen fleshy and also
develops definite shape
On the basis of shape swollen tap roots
are classified as Fusiform, Conical and
Napiform
The fusiform root is swollen in the middle
and tapering towards both ends forming
spindle shaped structure.
e.g. Radish (Raphanus sativus)

The conical root is broad at its


morphological base and narrows down
towards its apex is called as conical root.
e.g. Carrot (Daucus carota)

In napiform root, base of root is highly


swollen, almost spherical in shape and
abruptly narrows down towards its apex.
e.g. Beet (Beta vulgaris)
b. 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
The main root system of these plants
do not get sufficient air for respiration
as soil is water logged.
e.g. Rhizophora, Avicennia, Sonneratia,
Heritiera
Modifications of Adventitious Roots :
a.Food storage :
Fibrous roots also show food storage
like tap root but the main difference is
that fibrous root usually do not develop
definite shape.
These roots are further classified as
Simple tuberous, Fasciculated tuberous,
Beaded and Nodulose roots
Simple tuberous roots become swollen and
do not show definite shape. They are
produced singly.
E.g. sweet potato or shakarkand (Ipomoea
batatas)
Cluster of roots arising from one point
which becomes thick and fleshy due to
storage of food is known as fasciculated
tuberous root.
E.g. Dahlia, Asparagus, etc.

These beaded roots are also called as


moniliform roots. These roots are swellings
at regular intervals like beads of a necklace.
e.g. Spinacia oleracea (Indian Spinach).
The cluster of long slender roots
become enlarged at the tips forming
nodules is known as nodulose roots
E.g. Arrow (Maranta root)
Amhaldi (Curcuma amada).
b. For mechanical support :
1. Prop roots :
These roots arise from horizontal
branches of tree like Banyan tree (Ficus
benghalensis) and grow vertically
downwards till they penetrate the soil.

These prop roots show secondary


growth, become thick, act like pillars to
provide mechanical support to the
heavy branches.
2. Stilt roots :
These roots normally arise from a few
lower nodes of a weak stem in some
monocots shrubs and small trees.

They show obliquely downward growth


penetrating soil and provide
mechanical support to the plant.

In the members of family Poaceae, the


plants like Maize, Jowar, Sugarcane etc.
produce stilt root in whorl around the
node.
3. Climbing roots : Different climbers
with weak stem produce roots at their
nodes by means of which they attach
themselves to support and there by raise
themselves above the ground
e.g. Betel leaf or Pan, black pepper or
Piper nigrum (Kali Mirch), Pothos or
money plant.

4. Clinging Roots : These tiny roots


develop along internodes, show disc at
tips, which exude sticky substance. This
substance enables plant to get attached
with walls of buildings. They do not
damage substratum. e.g. English Ivy
(Hedera helix).
5. Plank Roots/Buttresses : Often
develop at the base of large trees form
plank like extensions around stem.
e.g. Silk cotton, Pipal etc

6. Buoyont roots : Roots developed at


the nodes of aquatic herbs like (J
ussiaea repens), become highly inflated
and spongy providing buoyancy and
helping the plant to float.
C. For special functions :
1.Epiphytic roots :
Small epiphytic plants such as orchids
produce specialized root to hang in the
air.
The roots are provided with a spongy
membranous absorbent covering of the
velamen tissue.
The cells of velamen that absorb
moisture from air.
A tissues are hygroscopic and have
porous walls
The roots may be silvery white or green
but without root cap e.g. Vanda,
Dendrobium etc.
2. Sucking roots or Haustoria :
Specialised microscopic sucking roots
developed by parasitic plants to absorb
nourishment from the host.

In Cuscuta reflexa or Dodder (Amarvel)


haustoria penetrates vascular strand
and suck food from phloem, water and
minerals from xylem.
Cuscuta is leafless plant with yellow
stem. It is a total parasite.
Bibliography : Biology 11th Text Book
Google

You might also like