Functions of Root

We will discuss here to develop a general idea about the functions of root.

We know roots perform many important functions, which are mentioned below:

(i) Absorption: Plants absorb water and nutrient-salts from soil by the roots. These are essential for synthesis of food.

(ii) Anchorage: The root system tightly holds soil particles together and upholds a plant on the ground.

(iii) Storage: Roots of some plants store food for future use. For example roots of beet, carrot, radish, sweet-potato become swollen to store food.

Carrot Radish Beef Sweet-potato

(iv) Assimilation: Some roots are green and remain exposed to sunlight. These are known as assimilatory roots. These roots can perform photosynthesis to synthesize food within it. For example, water-chestnut have this type of root.

(v) Support: Some aerial roots support plants to bear the weight of the branches. For example, prop roots of banyan tree and stilt root of screw-pine gives support.

(vi) Climbing: The roots arising from the nodes of betel and money-plant help the plants in climbing.

(vii) Reproduction: Storage roots of sweet-potato have buds. From these buds grow the daughter plants.

Fifth Grade

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