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    Root Modification

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    Roots sometimes undergo modifications to perform functions other than absorption and anchorage. Taproots and adventitious roots are modified underground for food storage. Taproots become fusiform, napiform, conical or tuberous. Adventitious roots form tubers, fascicules or nodules. Aerial roots provide mechanical support as prop, stilt or climbing roots. Others are respiratory, floating or epiphytic roots. Haustoria are parasitic sucking roots. Root modifications adapt plants to their environments.

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    Root Modification

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    api-341673470
    2K views46 pages
    Roots sometimes undergo modifications to perform functions other than absorption and anchorage. Taproots and adventitious roots are modified underground for food storage. Taproots become fusiform, napiform, conical or tuberous. Adventitious roots form tubers, fascicules or nodules. Aerial roots provide mechanical support as prop, stilt or climbing roots. Others are respiratory, floating or epiphytic roots. Haustoria are parasitic sucking roots. Root modifications adapt plants to their environments.

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    Roots sometimes undergo modifications to perform functions other than absorption and anchorage. Taproots and adventitious roots are modified underground for food storage. Taproots become fusiform, napiform, conical or tuberous. Adventitious roots form tubers, fascicules or nodules. Aerial roots provide mechanical support as prop, stilt or climbing roots. Others are respiratory, floating or epiphytic roots. Haustoria are parasitic sucking roots. Root modifications adapt plants to their environments.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
    2K views46 pages

    Root Modification

    Uploaded by

    api-341673470
    Roots sometimes undergo modifications to perform functions other than absorption and anchorage. Taproots and adventitious roots are modified underground for food storage. Taproots become fusiform, napiform, conical or tuberous. Adventitious roots form tubers, fascicules or nodules. Aerial roots provide mechanical support as prop, stilt or climbing roots. Others are respiratory, floating or epiphytic roots. Haustoria are parasitic sucking roots. Root modifications adapt plants to their environments.

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    of 46

    Modifications of Roots

    Roots are modified into different forms to perform specific


    functions other than their normal functions.
    Modification in roots is found in both tap root system and
    adventitious
    root
    system.

    Modification in root occurs when there occurs a permanent change


    in the structure of the root system.
    This change in structure of the tap root or the adventitious root
    system is for carry out certain specific functions additional to
    anchorage and absorption.
    The change in the structure of the roots isfor adaptation to their
    surrounding environment.

    Tap Root Modifications


    Tap roots are modified intodifferent structures, these
    modified structures carry out specific functions like food
    storage. Such roots are referred to as modified tap roots. They
    are different types of modified tap roots likeFusiform,
    Napiform, Conical, Tuberous or tubercular
    roots,pneumatophores.

    Fusiform:Fusiform is a modified tap


    root. The primary root of the system
    is swollen at the middle and tapers
    gradually at both the ends forming a
    spindle shaped structure. Example of
    fusiform roots is radish.

    Napiform: The base region of the root is


    swollen becoming almost spherical in shape,
    and then it abruptly tapers towards the
    lower end, forming a tail-like structure.
    Example of Napiform roots are turnip and
    beet.

    Conical: In the conical form of root


    modification the roots are swollen
    and are broad at the base, the apex
    part gradually tapers forming a con
    like structure like in carrot.

    Tuberous or tubercular: In the case of


    tuberous roots, the roots are thick and
    fleshy. They do not form any definite shape.
    Example: Sweet potato, yam.

    Pneumatophores: The
    pneumatophore roots grow vertically
    up, they protrude out of water or
    marshy sol like conical spikes. These
    roots occur in large number around
    the trunk of the tree. Pneumatophore
    roots are many pores for breathing
    through which exchange of gases
    takes place for respiration. Example
    of pneumatophores are Rhizophora.

    Adventitious Root Modifications


    Adventitious roots are the roots that are produced from any portion of the plant other
    than the radicle. The root system may be changed to different forms for special functions
    like storage, mechanical support and vital functions.

    For Storage Of Food

    Tuberous root: The adventitious


    roots in this are grown from the
    nodes of the running stem. These
    roots are modified are swollen into
    irregular forms and are known as
    tuberous roots. They are produced in
    single number. Example: Sweet
    Potato.

    Fasciculate root:The tuberous roots are


    developed from the base of the stem in cluster.

    Nodulose root: The adventitious


    roots in this case arise from the
    underground stem. Some roots that
    are
    slender become swollen near the
    apex and they form nodule like
    structures. Example: mango-ginger.

    Moniliform or Beaded roots: In this case, the


    roots are swollen at frequent intervals. This
    formation gives a beaded or moniliform type of
    appearance. This form of root formations is seen
    in many grasses, Basella, etc.

    Annulated roots: This type of roots has ringlike swellings ina series and appears in the form
    of a number of discs placed one above the other.
    Examples areCephalis ipecacuanha(Ipeca).

    Prop roots: Here the plants have tap roots system. the
    horizontalbranches of the stem of the plant gives rise to aerial roots.
    These aerial roots hang vertically downwards. These roots on
    reaching the ground, they grow and act like pillars. They provide
    mechanical support to the plant. ExampleFicus bengalensis.

    Stilt Roots: These plants have their own roots system like in screwpine.
    They are not strongly anchored tothe soil. Hence, these plant develop
    adventitious roots from near the base of the stem. These roots grow
    obliquely downwards. They act like stilt and they provide mechanical
    support to the plant. Example - the maize plant produces adventitious roots
    form the lower nodes which also act in a similar way.

    Climbing roots: This type of root system is found in climbers.


    Adventitious roots are developed from the nodes and are aerial roots.
    These aerial roots twist and clasp the support and help in climbing.
    Example Betel, Pothos, etc.

    Clinging roots: This type of roots are seen in orchids. These roots arise
    from the stem base of the plant. They enter crevices of the support to fix
    the epiphyte. They provide the plant with mechanical support.

    Root buttresses: Some trees have great plant-like roots that radiate

    Root
    The part of a plant that attaches it
    to the ground or to a support,
    conveying water and nourishment
    to the rest of the plant.

    Modifications of Roots
    Roots sometimes have special
    functions to perform and in
    such cases their form and
    structure differ from those of
    normal roots.
    The modified roots may be
    underground or aerial.

    Underground Root Modifications

    Taproot and adventitious roots


    may undergo certain
    modifications to perform the
    function of storage and
    vegetative propagation.

    Tap Root Modifications


    (for storage of food)
    In some plants the tap roots store
    reserve food for which they become
    swollen and assume different shapes.
    There are three types :
    (i) Fusiform:
    (ii) Napiform:
    (iii)Conical:
    (iv) Tuberous or tubercular:
    (v) Pneumatophores:

    (i) Fusiform:
    It is a modified tap root. The primary root is
    swollen in the middle while both the ends
    gradually taper forming a spindle shaped
    structure, e.g., Radish (Raphanus sativus).
    (ii) Napiform:
    The hypocotyls region is considerably swollen,
    becoming almost spherical and then abruptly
    tapering towards the lower end, e.g., Turnip
    (Brassica campestris var. rapa) and beet (Beta
    vulgaris).
    (iii)Conical:
    The roots swell, becoming broad at the base and
    gradually taper towards apex forming a cone like
    structure, e.g., Carrot (Daucus carota).

    (iv) Tuberous or tubercular:


    In this case, the root is thick and fleshy but
    does not form any definite shape, e.g.,
    Mirabilis jalapa.
    (v)Pneumatophores:
    These roots grow vertically up and come out of
    the water or marshy soil like conical spikes.
    They occur in large numbers around the tree
    trunk. Such roots are provided with numerous
    pores (breathing pores) through which air is
    taken for respiration, e.g., Rhizophora.

    Fusiform root - In radish the modified tap root is


    thickened in the middle and tapers towards both
    ends.
    e.g., Raphanus sativus (Radish)
    Napiform root - In beetroot the modified tap root is
    greatly swollen at the base, but abruptly narrows
    into a tail-like portion.
    e.g., Beta vulgaris (Beetroot)
    Conical root - In carrot the modified tap root is
    conical. It is broad at the base and gradually
    tapers towards its apex.
    e.g., Daucas carota (carrot)

    Adventitious Root Modifications

    Tuberous or tubercular root, e.g.,


    Ipomoea batotas (Sweet potato)
    Here, the modified adventitious root is
    swollen without any definite shape. It is
    always produced singly and not in clusters.
    Fasciculated roots e.g., Asparagus, Dahlia
    In Dahlia and Asparagus a number of
    adventitious roots arise as a cluster, from
    almost the same level at the base of the
    stem.

    Tuberous root

    Fasciculated roots

    Adventitious Root
    Modifications
    Nodulose roots e.g., Curcuma
    amada, (mango ginger)Here, the
    root becomes swollen at its tip.
    Moniliform roots e.g.,
    Momordica. Here, the roots show
    beadlike swellings at frequent
    intervals.
    Annulated roots E.g., Ipecac.
    Here, the adventitious roots have
    a series of ring-like swellings on

    Annulated roots

    Moniliform roots

    Nodulose roots

    Aerial Root Modifications

    Aerial roots are adventitious


    roots which develop from the
    aerial parts of the plant to
    perform various functions.
    A. For Mechanical Support
    B. For Vital Functions

    For Mechanical Support


    Prop roots
    Stilt roots
    Climbing roots

    For Vital
    Functions
    Haustoria
    or sucking roots

    Respiratory roots or breathing roots or


    pneumtophores.
    Floating roots
    Epiphytic roots

    Prop roots
    e.g., Ficus benghalensis
    (Banyan): In banyan the
    adventitious roots arise
    fromthe horizontal
    branches and grow
    vertically downwards.
    After reaching the soil
    they become thick and
    woody. Thus, they
    function as pillars
    giving mechanical
    support to the
    branches. Hence, they
    are also known as

    Stilt roots
    e.g. Pandanus : In
    Pandanus the
    adventitious roots
    arise from the lower
    part of the main stem
    and grow obliquely
    towards the soil. They
    serve to keep the plant
    erect by giving
    additional support.

    Climbing roots or
    clinging roots
    e.g., Piper betel,
    Pothos, etc : These
    roots arise from the
    nodes and help in
    attaching the
    climbing stem firmly
    to a support like a
    tree or a wall, by
    various
    mechanisms.

    Haustoria or sucking roots e.g. Cuscuta :


    Parasites like Cuscuta develop a kind of root
    which penetrates into the tissue of the host
    plant and help to draw nutrients from the
    host by sucking it. The parasitic plants are
    not completely equipped to prepare their
    food. Hence, such plants have to depend on
    host plants for nutrients.

    Respiratory roots or breathing roots or


    pneumtophores
    e.g., Avicennia, Rhizophora. A number of plants
    growing in marshy water-logged soils which contain
    almost no air, develop some branches which grow
    vertically upwards into the air. These roots are
    called breathing roots or pneumatophores. Each
    such root is provided towards the upper end with
    numerous pores through which gases diffuse in and
    out.

    Floating roots e.g., Jussiea: In Jussiea


    which is an aquatic plant, special spongy
    roots called floating or respiratory roots arise
    from the plant. They are adventitious and
    enclose a tissue called aerenchyma. These
    roots usually develop above the level of
    water and serve to store up air and help in
    buoyancy of the plant. In addition, the
    floating roots may also perform the
    respiratory function.

    Epiphytic roots e.g., Vanda: In epiphytes


    like orchids which grow on other plants,
    special adventitious roots called epiphytic
    roots are produced. The outer region of the
    root is made up of a special tissue called the
    velamen. This tissue absorbs moisture from
    the air and makes it available to the plant.
    These roots do not penetrate the host tissue
    like parasitic roots.

    Summary of Root Modifications

    The Plant Body: Stems


    FUNCTION OF STEMS
    Stems support leaves and
    branches.
    Stems transport water and
    solutes between roots and
    leaves.
    Stems in some plants are
    photosynthetic.
    Stems may store materials
    necessary for life (e.g., water,
    starch, sugar).
    In some plants, stems have
    become adapted for specialized
    functions.

    Stemssupportadisplayof
    leaves.
    Stemsorienttheleaves
    towardthelightwith
    minimaloverlapamongthe
    leaves.

    Asclepiasmilkweed

    Modified & Specialized


    Stems

    Food Storage Stems - Asparagus

    Photosynthetic Stems
    Cacti - stout fleshy
    stems that are
    modified for food
    and water storage
    and photosynthesis.

    Tuber
    Tubers accumulation of
    food at the tips of
    underground
    stolons
    The "eyes" of a
    potato are the
    nodes of a starchladened stem

    Corms

    Crocus corms

    A corm is a
    swollen, vertical
    stem with a
    papery covering.
    Gladiolus and
    Crocus are
    examples of plants
    that form corms.

    Bulb
    Bulbs - large buds
    with a small stem
    at the lower end
    surrounded by
    numerous fleshy
    leaves,
    adventitious roots
    at base
    Examples include
    onion, tulip, and
    lily

    Rhizomes
    Rhizomes horizontal stems
    that grow below
    the ground with
    adventitious roots
    Examples of plants
    that can produce
    rhizomes are irises,
    ferns, and grasses.

    Rhizomes
    Other plants, like
    ginger, produce
    large, thick rhizomes
    called pachymorphs.
    The pachymorph
    rhizome of Ginger

    Thorns
    Honey locust
    (modified stem)
    Black Locust (modified
    leaf stipules)

    Tendrils

    Grape Tendrils

    Stolons
    Stolons or runners horizontal stem
    that grows above
    the ground with
    long internodes
    Examples of plants
    that can produce
    stolons are
    strawberry and
    airplane plants

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