BOT401 LECTURE NOTES, DR. YANNICK A.

AFANGA

Root Structure

Roots are the underground structures of plants that anchor them to the soil, absorb water and
minerals, and sometimes store food. The root is structurally organized into several regions: the
root cap, epidermis, cortex, endodermis, and vascular cylinder.

Cross section of a dicot root

 BOT401 LECTURE NOTES, DR. YANNICK A. AFANGA

Parts of the Primary Root

1. Root Cap

• Location: The tip of the root.

• Structure: Made of loosely packed cells that secrete mucilage.
• Function:
o Protects the growing root tip as it penetrates the soil.
o Detects gravity, allowing the root to grow downward (gravitropism).

2. Epidermis

• Location: Outermost layer of the root.

• Structure: A single layer of tightly packed cells, some of which form root hairs.
• Function:
o Absorbs water and minerals from the soil.
o Root hairs increase the surface area for absorption.

3. Cortex

• Location: Between the epidermis and the vascular cylinder.

• Structure: Made of parenchyma cells with large intercellular spaces.
• Function:
o Stores food and water.
o Allows easy movement of water and nutrients to the vascular cylinder.
 BOT401 LECTURE NOTES, DR. YANNICK A. AFANGA

4. Endodermis

• Location: Innermost layer of the cortex.

• Structure: A single layer of barrel-shaped cells with a Casparian strip (a band of
suberin).
• Function:
o Regulates the entry of water and dissolved substances into the vascular cylinder.
o Prevents backflow of water.

5. Vascular Cylinder (Stele)

• Location: Central region of the root.

• Structure:
o Contains xylem (water conduction) and phloem (nutrient conduction).
o Pericycle: A layer of cells just inside the endodermis where lateral roots
originate.
• Function:
o Conducts water, minerals, and nutrients.
o Produces lateral roots (from the pericycle).

Dicot versus Monocot Roots

 BOT401 LECTURE NOTES, DR. YANNICK A. AFANGA

Feature Dicot Root Monocot Root

Epidermis Single-layered with root hairs Same as dicot root
Cortex Large and prominent Same as dicot root
EndodermisContains Casparian strips Same as dicot root
Pericycle Produces lateral roots and vascular Produces lateral roots only
cambium
Xylem and Xylem forms a star shape with phloem Xylem and phloem form a ring-like
Phloem between arms arrangement
Pith Small or absent Large and well-developed
Vascular Present, enabling secondary growth Absent; no secondary growth
Cambium
Secondary Common in dicots Absent in monocots
Growth

Key Structural Differences:

1. Vascular Cylinder:
o Dicot Root: Xylem is arranged in a star shape, with phloem between the arms.
No distinct pith.
o Monocot Root: Xylem and phloem are arranged in a ring, surrounding a large
pith.
2. Secondary Growth:
o Dicot Root: Secondary growth occurs due to the presence of vascular cambium.
o Monocot Root: Lacks secondary growth because it does not have a vascular
cambium.
3. Pith:
o Dicot Root: Often absent or very small.
o Monocot Root: Large and prominent.

Secondary Growth in Roots

Secondary growth in roots refers to the increase in thickness (girth) of the root, primarily
observed in dicot roots and woody plants. This growth is facilitated by the lateral meristems:
the vascular cambium and the cork cambium. Monocot roots typically lack secondary growth
due to the absence of vascular cambium.
 BOT401 LECTURE NOTES, DR. YANNICK A. AFANGA

1. Process of Secondary Growth in Roots

Step 1: Initiation of Vascular Cambium

• The vascular cambium develops from two regions:

o Intrafascicular cambium: Located between the xylem and phloem.
o Interfascicular cambium: Derived from the pericycle in regions opposite the
protoxylem.
• Together, they form a continuous, circular ring of cambium.

Step 2: Activity of Vascular Cambium

• The vascular cambium divides and produces:

o Secondary Xylem (inward): Forms wood and contributes to water conduction.
o Secondary Phloem (outward): Transports nutrients and forms part of the bark.

Step 3: Formation of Cork Cambium (Phellogen)

• The pericycle in the outer layer forms the cork cambium, which generates:
o Cork (phellem): Outer protective tissue, replacing the epidermis.
o Secondary Cortex (phelloderm): Inner parenchymatous tissue for storage.

Step 4: Formation of Bark

• The tissues external to the vascular cambium, including the secondary phloem, cork
cambium, and cork, form the bark.

Result:

• The root increases in thickness due to the production of secondary xylem and phloem,
enhancing the plant’s ability to transport water, nutrients, and provide structural
support.
 BOT401 LECTURE NOTES, DR. YANNICK A. AFANGA

2. Lateral Root Formation

Definition: Lateral roots are roots that emerge from the pericycle of the main root. They grow
horizontally or obliquely to increase the root system’s surface area for absorption and
anchorage.

Process:

1. Initiation: Lateral roots originate from the pericycle cells of the parent root, making
them endogenous (arising from within the root).
2. Cell Division: Pericycle cells undergo division, forming a small group of actively
dividing cells called the lateral root primordium.
3. Emergence: The primordium grows outward, pushing through the cortex and
epidermis until it emerges as a new lateral root.
4. Vascular Connection: The vascular tissues of the lateral root connect with the vascular
system of the main root to facilitate water and nutrient transport.
 BOT401 LECTURE NOTES, DR. YANNICK A. AFANGA

Significance:

• Enhances the plant’s ability to explore soil for nutrients and water.
• Provides structural stability by anchoring the plant more firmly.

3. Adventitious Roots

Definition: Adventitious roots are roots that develop from non-root tissues, such as stems,
leaves, or even old woody roots. They may form naturally or in response to environmental
stress.

Types of Adventitious Roots:

1. Support Roots:
o Example: Prop roots in maize and banyan trees, which provide additional
support.
2. Climbing Roots:
o Example: Roots in climbing plants like money plants or ivy, which help in
attachment to surfaces.
3. Storage Roots:
o Example: Tubers in sweet potatoes that store nutrients.
4. Respiratory Roots:
o Example: Pneumatophores in mangroves, which aid in gas exchange in
waterlogged conditions.

Formation:

• Adventitious roots arise due to cell differentiation in response to hormonal signals

(primarily auxins) or environmental stimuli, such as wounding or flooding.

Significance:

• Provide additional support and stability to the plant.

• Help propagate plants vegetatively (e.g., cuttings).
• Adapt to stressful conditions like flooding or injury.
 BOT401 LECTURE NOTES, DR. YANNICK A. AFANGA

Key Differences Between Lateral Roots and Adventitious Roots

Feature Lateral Roots Adventitious Roots

Originate from the pericycle of
Origin Originate from non-root tissues
roots
Formation
Endogenous Exogenous
Process
Support, storage, or stress
Function Increase root system for absorption
adaptation
Examples Side branches of the primary root Prop roots (banyan), storage roots

Summary

• Secondary Growth: Increases the thickness of roots through the activity of the
vascular cambium and cork cambium. It produces secondary xylem, phloem, and bark.
• Lateral Roots: Arise from the pericycle of the primary root, enhancing nutrient
absorption and anchorage.
• Adventitious Roots: Develop from non-root tissues and adapt plants to specific needs
like support, storage, or stress survival.

Root Adaptations to Function: Specialized Roots

Roots are vital for anchorage, absorption, and storage, but many plants have adapted their roots
for additional specialized functions. These adaptations enhance survival in specific
environments or perform unique roles. Below are examples of specialized roots and their
functions:

1. Storage Roots

• Description: These roots are swollen due to the storage of nutrients such as starch,
sugars, and water.
• Examples:
o Sweet potato, Cassava, Yam, Cocoyam, Carrot
• Function: Serve as a reservoir of energy for the plant to survive adverse conditions
like winter or drought.
 BOT401 LECTURE NOTES, DR. YANNICK A. AFANGA

2. Prop Roots

• Description: Thick, large, pillar-like roots that grow from the stem and provide
additional support.
• Examples:
o Maize, Mangrove, Oil palm
• Function: Support heavy branches and stabilize the plant, especially in large trees.

3. Stilt Roots

• Description: Slender and small roots that arise from the lower nodes of the stem and
grow obliquely into the soil.
• Examples:
o Sugarcane, maize, bamboo, sorghum
• Function: Provide support to the plant and help in anchorage.

4. Pneumatophores (Respiratory Roots)

• Description: Specialized roots that grow vertically upward (negatively geotropic) and
emerge above waterlogged soil or water.
• Examples:
o Mangroves like Avicennia and Rhizophora.
• Function: Facilitate gas exchange by absorbing oxygen from the air, critical in
oxygen-deficient environments like swamps.

5. Aerial Roots

• Description: Roots that hang in the air and are often covered with a spongy tissue
called velamen.
• Examples:
o Orchids.
• Function: Absorb moisture and nutrients from the atmosphere and aid in anchorage.

6. Buttress Roots

• Description: Large, flaring roots that emerge from the base of the trunk and spread
outwards.
• Examples:
o Silk cotton tree (Ceiba pentandra)., Mahogany (Khaya ivorensis), Milicia
excelsa (Iroko tree), Terminalia spp (Terminalia superba)
• Function: Provide stability to tall trees in shallow soils.
 BOT401 LECTURE NOTES, DR. YANNICK A. AFANGA

7. Climbing Roots

• Description: Thin, adventitious roots that help plants cling to surfaces.

• Examples:
o Passion fruit, Piper nigrum, lianas
• Function: Enable plants to climb and reach sunlight by attaching to walls, rocks, or
other plants.

8. Haustorial Roots (Parasitic Roots)

• Description: Specialized roots in parasitic plants that penetrate the host's vascular
system.
• Examples:
o Mistletoe, Witchweed (Striga hermonthica and Striga asiatica)
• Function: Absorb water, nutrients, and sometimes food from the host plant.