BOTANY WITH BASICS OF HYDROBOTANY (AQUATIC PLANTS OF UKRAINE) - B.Ye. Yakubenko - 2011

VIII. FUNDAMENTALS OF PLANT MORPHOLOGY AND ANATOMY

Morphology and Anatomy of the Root

Types of Root Systems

The totality of a plant's roots forms its ROOT system. In practice, three MAIN TYPES OF root systems are distinguished:

A taproot system is one in which the primary root is clearly distinguished from the mass of other roots by its length, thickness, and robust development. This type of root system is characteristic of almost all dicotyledonous plants. Taproot systems are found in apple and pear seedlings, as well as species of cabbage, alfalfa, shepherd's purse, and winter cress.

A fibrous root system is one in which the primary root withers early or remains poorly developed, failing to stand out among the numerous adventitious roots arising from the stem. The fibrous system is typical of monocotyledonous plants (Fig. 54), including rye, wheat, orchard grass, fescue, onion, garlic, corn, feather grass, and barnyard grass.

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Fig. 54. Types of root systems: 1 - fibrous, 2 - taproot, 3 - mixed

Some plants also feature a mixed root system, in which the primary root is well-developed alongside both lateral and adventitious roots, combining the traits of the first two types. Examples include the root systems of tomatoes, cucumbers, currants, peppers, and others.