Modification of Adventitous root


Modification of Adventitious root:

  • When  roots arise from the other parts of plants like stem and leaves called adventitous root systems. Some modifications of this root are as follows -

  • In plants of Date palms, the adventitious roots become hard, pointed and thorn-like. These are called root thorns .                   

  • In Sweet potato, Adventitious roots  help in vegetative propagation by developing buds. These buds are detached from the parent plant and   give rise to new plants after the germination.   

  • The parasitic plants like Cuscuta  cannot prepare their own food as they lack chlorophyll.
  • They have to depend on host plants for nutrients .These plants develop microscopic sucking roots called haustoria that penetrate into the tissues of host plants to derive nutrition.

  • These roots are called Sucking Roots or Parasitic Roots. 

  • In plants such as Bamboo and Banyan, there are  various roots hanging downwards from the branches.

  • They provide extra support  and Anchorage to the stem of the tree. They penetrate the soil giving support to the horizontally spreading branches of the tree.
  • The roots are long, woody and appear as pillars or columns. That is why they are also known as columnar roots. These roots also have lenticels for breathing. 

  • In some plants like Maize and Sugarcane, some  extra supporting roots arise from the lower nodes of the main stem.

  • These roots grow towards the soil  and enter the soil. They help to keep the plant upright by providing extra anchorage. They have multiple root caps. 

                                  

  • In Some  plant like Black pepper and Money plant, roots are found in stem  such as climbers.

  • They arise from the nodes and internodes. These  stems of the climbers run upside and provide the support. 

  • In Vanilla single tendril-like roots arise at the nodes. These are called tendrillar roots.                         

  • Clinging Roots are also modifications of adventitious roots. They are found in epiphytes like orchids.                                        
  • Some roots are found in tropical forests that are nutrient deficient and  prevent the tree from falling over  and also absorb more nutrients. These roots are termed as  Buttress root.                         
  • In aquatic plants like water hyacinth , roots are spongy and have  air filled cavity.

  • These   roots are present at nodes. These roots contain air filled tissue called aerenchyma.

  • The roots are called floating roots. These roots maintain buoyancy to the plant for floating.

  • They store water and help in the floating of plants. They also help in the exchange of gasses.                                 

  • Some adventitious roots found at the base of underground stems.
  • These roots are swollen and keep the aerial shoots under the soil. These roots are called pull roots as in  Allium. 



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