ROOTS

Root Types Taproot Fibrous roots One main root Ex. dandelions, burdock Napiform Root = taproot with starch storage area such as beet or carrot Fibrous roots Many roots Ex. turfgrass, corn

Root Functions Absorb water and minerals Anchor the plant to the ground and support the above ground structures Store food

Root Anatomy Seminal Root Lateral Roots Root Cap First structure to emerge from the seed upon germination (becomes PRIMARY ROOT) Lateral Roots Secondary roots off the primary root Root Cap Layers of hard cells to protect the root as it pushes through the soil

Root Anatomy (cont.) Embryonic Region Elongation Region Produces new cells (apical meristem) Elongation Region Cells grow (elongate) to full size Maturation Region Cells are fully grown Root hairs and new roots can form from this region

Root Anatomy (cont.) Epidermis Root hairs (Trichome example) Cells on root surface where water/minerals enter via osmosis and diffusion Root hairs (Trichome example) Increase surface area to absorb water and nutrients ½ inch from root cap Each hair is its own individual cell which will live only a few days and will NOT form into a lateral root

Monocot VS Dicot Roots VERY SIMILAR Epidermis, cortex, endosperm, and pericycle are the same Vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) of monocots form bundles with the xylem toward the inside in DICOT Vascular bundles form a ring around the pith, which is centrally located in MONOCOT

Monocot VS Dicot Roots

Healthy Roots White or nearly white and smells fresh Black, brown, or dark orange and smell rotten or sour = root is having problems. Outside = roots in top 2 feet of soil Pot = roots evenly dispersed throughout the soil Watering = most important way to keep the root system healthy Drainage holes Soak with water until it is dripping out of the drainage holes Allow soil to dry slightly before re-watering Overwatering usually is TOO often not TOO much at one time

Water Absorption – FYI (understand the process not memorize it) Water enters the root through root hairs and the epidermis. It moves horizontally through the cortex, endodermis, and pericycle before reaching the xylem. Water reaches the xylem by one of two pathways. One path is through the cells between the epidermis and the xylem, which is called the intracellular route. The other path, by which a greater volume of water flows, is referred to as the extracellular route. In the extracellular route, water moves through the spaces between cells.