Root

Root Function and Anatomy

• Roots absorb water and provide plant nutrition.
• Roots anchor the plant body to the ground and synthesize cytokinin.
• Roots form symbiotic relationships with fungi and bacteria.
• Root morphology includes zones like root hair, epidermis, cortex, and vascular tissue.
• Roots have an endogenous origin and develop from an inner layer of the mother axis.

Root System Architecture and Growth

• Root system architecture refers to the spatial configuration providing nutrients, water, and support.
• Roots adapt to different environmental conditions and are regulated by genetic and environmental factors.
• Growth involves apical meristem cell division, primary and secondary growth, and vascular cambium development.
• Cork cambium forms the protective periderm in roots.

Root Regulation and Environmental Interactions

• Roots sense their physical environment and respond to light, physical barriers, and gravity.
• Auxin pathways regulate root growth, nutrient supply, and foliage nourishment.
• Light impacts root systems, affecting initiation, elongation, and gravitropic responses.
• Plants interact through root systems in the soil, responding to environmental cues and stresses.

Types of Roots and Interactions

• True, fibrous, and adventitious roots anchor, absorb nutrients, and adapt to environmental conditions.
• Different types of adventitious roots include aerating, aerial, and canopy roots.
• Plants communicate and respond to environmental changes through root systems.
• Root interactions with soil microbiota influence symbiotic relationships and plant health.

Economic Importance and Records

• Roots and tubers are widely harvested crops globally, including cassava, sweet potato, beet, and carrot.
• Roots provide essential medicines like ginseng and aconite.
• Trees stabilize soil, prevent erosion, and can damage structures.
• Records show deep root systems in various environments like deserts and forests.

Root Data Sources