Uterine root system: features of structure and functions

The root performs the most important functions in the plant organism. The main ones are fixation in the soil, absorption and carrying out of water with substances dissolved in it, as well as vegetative reproduction. The possibility of implementing these processes is associated with the peculiarities of the structure of various root systems.

What is the root?

The root is the underground organ of the plant. Although in nature there are its special species - respiratory, which are able to absorb moisture, which is in the air. Depending on the features of the structure, several types of roots are distinguished: main, lateral and accessory.

The first plant always has one. From it the lateral roots leave. Usually there are a lot of them, because of this, the area of the suction surface increases. The roots that grow immediately from escape are called subordinate.

Types of Root Systems

But to ensure the whole variety of functions of an underground organ of one type, a plant organism is not enough. Therefore, they combine to form two types of root systems. The core consists of the main and lateral. Its main advantage is that plants with a rod system can get water deep from under the ground.

The fibrous root system is formed only by subordinate roots, which depart from the aerial part of the plant - the shoot. They grow in a large bundle, most of them have the same length.

Uterine root system is characteristic for representatives of the families Cereal (Mytlikovye), Onion, Liliaceae. All of them belong to the Monocotyledon class.

Uterine root system

Among dicots, an underground organ of this type is found in plantain. The fibrous root system develops on changes in the shoot. An example of this can be a strawberry mustache or a fern rhizome.

The fibrous root system is capable of penetrating into the soil at a distance of up to two meters. There, it grows quite wide.

Since the beginning of development, the main root of this system is beginning to grow. However, soon it dies off and is replaced by additional species of stalk.

The length of the fibrous root system varies. In the vast majority of cereal plants, it reaches three meters, and in maize - up to ten. In some of the most valuable representatives of monocotyledons - wheat and rye - the bulk of subordinate roots develops to a depth of several tens of centimeters. Therefore, such plants are very sensitive to lack of moisture.

But in the fibrous root system there are a lot of advantages. Being at a shallow depth, it covers a much larger area of food. For example, the total length of all the roots of wheat is about 20 km.

Plants with a fibrous root system

If the drought is the worst enemy of grasses and their roots, then for plants of moist natural zones it is not terrible. After all, they, on the contrary, suffer from an overabundance of water. This can cause decay processes, which will inevitably lead to the death of plants. That is why they have a number of vital adaptations for development in this natural zone. These are leaves with a wide leaf blade, and a thin bark of trees. Of particular importance is the structure of the underground organ of tropical plants. A large number of additional surface roots ensures rapid absorption of a sufficient amount of moisture. Ascending current, this water flows to the leaves, which provide the process of transpiration - the evaporation of water from the surface of the plate.

The fibrous root system is characteristic of plants that have bulbs. They accumulate water with dissolved nutrients. Tulip, lily, leek, garlic use them as a stock. This helps them survive the unfavorable period.

Modifications and their functions

In the fibrous root system, changes often occur. In this regard, there are additional functions. For example, the subordinate roots of dahlia, swine and sweet potato yams, which is a popular crop of tropical countries, thicken and form tubers. They not only store nutrients and water, but also participate in vegetative reproduction. The air roots of orchids are also subordinate. They are able to absorb moisture directly from the air.

The fibrous root system is also characteristic of ivy. With its help, it clings to the support and grows upward, bringing the leaves to the light. Some plants of the tropics form additional roots directly on the trunks and branches. Growing to the ground, they serve as a support for the wide crown. Corn is the same device. Since the subordinate roots usually occupy a superficial position and are unable to retain the plant in the soil, this function is carried out in a kind of props.

Thus, the fibrous root system is characteristic of many plants and provides the most important functions of growth, nutrition and reproduction.