The roots of seed plants have three major functions: Anchoring the plant to the soil, absorbing water and minerals and transporting them upwards and storing the products of photosynthesis. Some roots are modified to absorb moisture and exchange gases. Most roots are underground whereas others are shallow or located near the soil surface. Generally there are two types of root systems that are found in plants, they include:
- Taproot
- Fibrous/Adventitious Root
What Is a Taproot?
A taproot is generally a long and somehow thick root that grows vertically deep down into the soil. It is the first root to appear from the seed and remains the largest, central root of the plant. Lateral roots will branch off from the taproot and then smaller lateral roots will form from the initial lateral roots, but the central taproot will remain the largest and will burrow down into the soil the deepest. The branching of lateral roots serves to increase the surface area for water and mineral absorption.
Taproots are generally found in dicots i.e flowering plants and shrubs. They generally grow more deeply into the soil, it often become a modified storage organ for food reserves such as carbohydrates. The food reserves can be drawn upon to ensure good development of flower stalk and seeds. Taproots anchor plants deeply, helping to prevent the wind from blowing them over and stabilizing plants that grow in areas of shifting soils such as beaches or sand dunes. Plants with taproot system include:
- Conifers
- Dandelions
- Carrots
- Burdock
- Sugarbeet
- Parsley
- Parsnips
- Poison ivy
- Annual flower
- Turnip
- Radishs & beetroot
Characteristic Of Taproot
- Taproots are generally found in dicots i.e flowering plants and shrubs.
- Upon germination of a seed, the first root that emerges from it is referred to as the radical or primary root. This radical then forms the taproot.
- Taproot is relatively longer and has a large surface area.
- Tap root grows vertically deep into the soil.
- Taproots are responsible for absorbing nutrients and water from deep sources.
- Taproot system has one main root which is referred to as taproot which produces lateral branches referred to as secondary roots which in-turn produce tertiary roots.
- Plants with taproots usually live longer.
- Taproots develop from the radical, which is the embryonic root.
- Taproots help the plant to be tolerant to the drought since they reach much deeper water sources.
- The main taproot is usually very thick in size.
- A single plant generally has one taproot.
- Plants with Taproots typically have reticulate leaf venation.
- Taproots sometimes act as storage organ for food.
- The taproot enables a plant to anchor firmly into the soil. This makes it very difficult to uproot the plant.
Also Read: Difference Between Squash And Pumpkin
What Is Fibrous/Adventitious Root?
A fibrous root system also referred to as adventitious root system is a root system consisting of numerous/extensive mass of branching roots of more or less equal length. The root system is generally shallower than the taproot system and forms a dense network of roots. Fibrous roots systems help prevent soil erosion as they anchor plants to the top layer of soil.
Some plants have a combination of both taproots and fibrous roots. Plants that grow in dry areas often have deep root systems whereas plants growing in areas with abundant water are likely to have shallower root systems. In general, taproots extend more deeply than fibrous roots, with fibrous roots occupying a greater proportion of the upper soil layers.
Plants with fibrous root system usually do not have roots modified for food storage. Fibrous root system is generally a characteristic of monocots, which include:
- Cereal crops
- Corn
- Lawn grasses
- Rice
- Wheat
- Barley
- Sorghum
- Millet
- Oats
- Rye
- Teff
- Sugarcane
Characteristic Of Fibrous Root
- Fibrous roots are generally found in monocots i.e maize, sugarcane, banana and grasses.
- Upon the germination of a seed, the first root i.e the radical, does not last long and is replaced by adventitious roots.
- Fibrous roots are short and have small surface area.
- Fibrous roots are short and most of them grow horizontally in the soil.
- Fibrous roots hold many soil particles together at the surface of the soil.
- In adventitious root system, a number of main root develop at one point or spot. All roots are similar in thickness, except in cases where they are swollen for storage.
- Plants with fibrous roots have comparatively shorter lives.
- Fibrous roots can develop from stem or leaves.
- Plants with fibrous roots cannot tolerate drought, because the roots dry out easily. Though they are quick in absorbing surface and irrigation water.
- Fibrous roots are generally thin, hair-like, and uniform in thickness and are in the form of the cluster.
- A single plant generally has hundreds of fibrous roots.
- Plants with fibrous roots typically have parallel leaf venation.
- Fibrous roots do not have ability to store food.
- Plants with fibrous roots do not anchor very well in the soil and they usually very easy to uproot.
Also Read: Difference Between Evergreen And Deciduous Trees
Difference Between Taproot And Fibrous/Adventitious Root In Tabular Form
BASIS OF COMPARISON | TAPROOT | FIBROUS ROOT
|
Presence | They are generally found in dicots i.e flowering plants and shrubs. | They are generally found in monocots i.e maize, sugarcane, banana and grasses. |
Development Process | Upon germination of a seed, the first root that emerges from it is referred to as the radical or primary root. This radical then forms the taproot. | Upon the germination of a seed, the first root i.e the radical, does not last long and is replaced by adventitious roots.
|
Length & Surface Area | Taproot is relatively longer and has a large surface area. | Fibrous roots are short and have small surface area. |
Growth | Tap root grows vertically deep into the soil. | Fibrous roots are short and most of them grow horizontally in the soil. |
Function | Taproots are responsible for absorbing nutrients and water from deep sources. | Fibrous roots hold many soil particles together at the surface of the soil. |
Structure | Taproot system has one main root which is referred to as taproot which produces lateral branches referred to as secondary roots which in-turn produce tertiary roots. | In adventitious root system, a number of main root develop at one point or spot. All roots are similar in thickness, except in cases where they are swollen for storage. |
Lifespan | Plants with taproots usually live longer. | Plants with fibrous roots have comparatively shorter lives. |
Origin | Taproots develop from the radical, which is the embryonic root. | Fibrous roots can develop from stem or leaves. |
Drought Tolerance | Taproots help the plant to be tolerant to the drought since they reach much deeper water sources. | Plants with fibrous roots cannot tolerate drought, because the roots dry out easily. Though they are quick in absorbing surface and irrigation water. |
Size | The main taproot is usually very thick in size. | Fibrous roots are generally thin, hair-like, and uniform in thickness and are in the form of the cluster. |
Number | A single plant generally has one taproot. | A single plant generally has hundreds of fibrous roots. |
Leaf Venation | Plants with Taproots typically have reticulate leaf venation. | Plants with fibrous roots typically have parallel leaf venation. |
Food Storage | Taproots sometimes act as storage organ for food. | Fibrous roots do not have ability to store food. |
Plant Anchorage | The taproot enables a plant to anchor firmly into the soil. This makes it very difficult to uproot the plant. | Plants with fibrous roots do not anchor very well in the soil and they usually very easy to uproot. |
Also Read: Difference Between Angiosperms And Gymnosperms
What Are The Similarities Between Adventitious Roots And Taproots?
- Both root systems are responsible for absorption of water and nutrients from the soil
- Both occur in higher plants
- They generally grow below the ground
- Both taproots and fibrous roots are true root types.
- They are both responsible for plant anchorage.