Chapter 6

Roots
Plant organ systems

What are the primary

functions of roots?

Fibrous and taproot systems

Dicots

Monocots

Dicot root, c.s.

Root structure

Root cap
Parenchyma
Mucigel
Perception

gravity

of

Dicot root, l.s.

Region

of cell division
Region of elongation

Region of
maturation

Monocot root, c.s.

Xylem

Phloem

Endodermis

Endodermis regulates
mineral absorption

Secondary growth
Growth

in diameter
Ex. Sweet potato
Secondary growth occurs at the lateral
meristems, namely the vascular
cambiu and cork cambium.
The former forms secondary
xylem and secondary phloem, while
the latter forms the periderm.

Specialized roots
Storage

roots

Camote root

Roots of carrots

Storage roots
Roots which store a portion of the
energy/nutrients gathered or produced
by a plant, Potatoes , beets , ginger
are some examples of them.

Aerial roots

Aerial roots (poison ivy)

Aerial roots
Velamen

(orchids)

Aerial roots velamen (orchids)

AERIAL ROOTS

Type of roots above the ground. They

are almost always adventitious.

Contractile roots

Roots of a corn

Contractile root
Roots

that pull bulbs or corms deeper

in the soil through expanding radially
and contracting longitudinally. They
have a wrinkled surface.

Buttress roots

Prop roots

Prop roots

Prop roots Mangrove swamp

Propagative roots

Pneumatophores

Cypress pneumatophores,
Black River, NC

Pneumatophores
These

specialized aerial roots enable

plants to breathe air in habitats that
have waterlogged soil. The roots may
grow down from the stem, or up from
typical roots.

Mycorrhizae

A mutualistic fungal association

with roots

Mycorrhizae

Root nodules

Root nodules

Root nodules

Nitrogen fixation research

Ammonia diffusion hypothesis of
nitrogen transport into plants

Parasitic roots
Witchweed

Parasitic roots
Oscula

of witchweed (Striga sp.)

Human uses of roots

sweet potatoes

cassava

yams

Rosemary's Root Beer Tonic

Ingredients (4 servings)
3 oz Sassafras Bark, dried
2 oz Sarsaparilla root, dried
1 oz Dandelion Root, dried
1 oz Burdock Root, dried
1/2 oz Ground Ginger root
1/2 oz Ground Cinnamon
1/4 oz Orange Peel, dried

link

Mix together all ingredients and store in a tightly closed

container. In a large pot combine 1 quart of water and 4
tablespoons of dry mixture. Bring to a boil, cover and
simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain and sweeten with
honey or stevia (also called "sweet herb") if desired.
Source: Vegetarian Times, April 1993

Herbal medications
Ginger

Valeriana officinalis

Valerian extract, derived from the dried rhizomes and roots

of the plant, has been used for thousands of years as a folk
remedy, tranquilizer and calmative for several disorders
such as restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, hysteria,
menstrual problems, and as a sedative for "nervous"
stomach. Valerian extracts are currently used in scores of
compounds and teas in Europe.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Rotenone comes from Derris root and Lonchocarpus

species leaf (Family: Leguminosae)
It is an insecticide and also used as a fish poison.
Rotenone disrupts cellular respiration and death is
relatively slow compared to most nerve toxins. Rotenone
is extremely toxic to fish and is used as a fish poison by
South American Indians and in water management
programs.

Roots & erosion

ErosionSeed.com

Root research
CO2

concentration and root growth

Phytoremediation and molecular
farming
Mercury detoxification
TNT detoxification
Root

cap function

Root nematodes

Root nematodes

Root nematodes
-disrupts the uptake of nutrients
and water
-interferes with plant growth
-vector for viruses

Root nematode damage

Root nematode damage

Root nematodes reduce

crop productivity