Facts About Roots: Meaning, Importance And Types Simplified

Christian Mba
Nov 03, 2023 By Christian Mba
Originally Published on Jun 08, 2022
Roots also help maintain the ecology of a region
Age: 0-99
Read time: 5.1 Min

Roots are an important part of every plant.

A vascular plant's survival depends on the quality of the root system. The better the root system, the healthier the plant.

Roots, in most cases, are invisible. Hidden under the soil, the root branches out as far as it can. The aim is to absorb as much nutrients and water as possible, along with giving stability to the plant. Some edible roots, like carrots, beets, and turnips, are consumed. There is a lot to learn about roots, such as the different types of root, their significance, and their functions.

Continue reading for fun and interesting roots facts!

Types Of Roots

There are three known types of root systems found in plants; tap, lateral, and heart root systems.

Taproot systems are dominated by one root, from which smaller roots originate. The taproot system is rare in large trees, but is very stable. Examples of trees with a taproot system are pine, oak, sweet gum, and walnut.

In the lateral system, the roots grow laterally under the soil. Many plants have lateral roots. Examples of trees with this system of roots include ash, cottonwood, and maple.

The heart system is also known as the oblique system of roots. This root system is shaped in the form of a heart. It does not do well in wet soils and anchors the tree with the help of the rootball weight. Examples of heart root systems include honey locusts and sycamore.

Importance Of Roots

Made up of vascular tissues, fibrous roots play a critical role in keeping a single tree alive and thriving. Roots also help maintain the ecology of a region.

Roots not only help in anchoring the plant and supplying it with necessary nutrients, but also prevent soil erosion and help in developing beneficial microbes in the soil. Microbes are critical for nutrient cycling. Plants with many deep roots can survive in drought-like conditions. Root channels also help water to infiltrate deep within the soil. Taproots can break through hard soil that prevents the tree's roots from growing.

plant survival depends on the quality of the root system

 

Functions Of Roots

From the root cap to the root tip, each part of the plant organ has a function to play in its overall development.

The root cap has the key function of ensuring the stem cells remain protected. It also signals to the growing main root about the surrounding environmental conditions.

Epidermal stem cells, along with root hairs, help in the absorption of water and minerals from the soil. The design helps anchor the plant to the soil, ensuring that it does not get easily uprooted.

During winter, plants also store food as a reserve in their roots. Some of these food reserves are edible, such as carrots and beets.

Roots are essential for the survival of trees and plants. They help anchor the tree and allow access to nutrients and water, that the plant needs to develop healthily. 

FAQs

Q: What are roots made of?

A: Roots are made up of tissues; vascular, dermal, and ground.

Q: What are the functions of roots?

A: The primary functions of roots are to anchor the plant, absorb water and minerals, transfer essential nutrients to other plant parts, and store reserve foods.

Q: How fast do tree and plant roots grow?

A: The speed at which roots grow depends on the plant type and external conditions such as soil and weather.

Q: How long do tree roots grow?

A: Tree roots tend to be opportunistic and grow as long as the conditions permit. Generally, tree roots grow to between two and five times the radius of the tree canopy.

Q: How do tree roots work?

A: Tree roots work by anchoring the plant into the soil. Apart from providing structural support, the roots also transport essential nutrients and water from the soil to leaves, flowers, and branches.

Q: How do roots help a plant grow?

A: Roots help a plant grow by drawing nutrients and water from the soil and passing it on. Then, roots act as storage for food during cold seasons, to help plants rebuild their foliage in the spring.

Q: What kind of roots do trees have?

A: Tree roots are of five types: tap root, lateral root, sinker root, lateral or heart root, and fine root.

Q: How do you plant rhubarb roots?

A: Dig a foot-wide hole. Make sure that the soil in the hole and on the side is loose, as this helps the roots spread nicely. Add manure and topsoil to the hole. Now place the rhubarb roots within the hole, ensuring that the top of the rhubarb plant is at least 2-3 in (5.08-7.62 cm) below the soil surface. Press the soil in and around the planted root and add water.

Q: How do you clean plant roots?

A: First, to cause less stress to the plant, root washing is best done during the dormant period. Remove the roots of the plant carefully from the soil. Hose the removed roots and prune the hardy roots with a clipper or hand. Once done, replant the roots back into the freshly tilled soil.

Q: How do you kill plant roots?

A: You can chop or cut the unwanted roots, dig a hole or trench to stop the roots from growing, or spray herbicides with glyphosate on the roots.

Q: How deep do tomato plant roots go?

A: The depth of tomato plants is determined by various factors, such as the variety of tomato, soil quality and structure, and planting technique.

Q: How do you plant clematis roots?

A: First, prune any existing stems attached to the clematis roots. Trim it to at least 12 in (30 cm). Now soak the roots for an hour in a bucket of water. Next, take a pot and add potting soil. In the middle, make a cone-line indent and place the root in the space. Make sure to spread the roots and ensure that the upper part is at least 2 in (5 cm) below the soil. To give support to the newly planted clematis root, add a bamboo stake behind it. Lastly, water thoroughly.

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Sources

https://www.wikihow.com/Kill-Tree-Roots

https://www.britannica.com/science/root-plant

https://www.rootwell.com/blogs/how-tree-roots-work

https://aplustree.com/3-types-of-tree-root-systems/#:~:text=Tree Roots-Before we dive&text=Tap roots: Every tree startsthat roots need to survive.

https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_and_General_Biology/Book:_Introductory_Biology_(CK-12)/09:_Plants/9.14:_Roots#:~:text=Each root is made offrom primary and secondary meristem.

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/grow-clematis-roots-71286.html

https://www.finegardening.com/article/root-washing-why-and-how-to-wash-roots

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Written by Christian Mba

Bachelor of Science specializing in Computer Science

Christian Mba picture

Christian MbaBachelor of Science specializing in Computer Science

Christian Mba is an experienced blogger and content writer with over a decade of experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Nigeria and has a keen interest in Python programming. Along with his writing and blogging expertise, he is also an SEO specialist with more than six years of experience. Chris, as he is commonly known, has a passion for music and enjoys playing the piano.

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