Parts Of A Root

Parts Of A Root

For gardening, agriculture or in general something that has to do with plants it is necessary to know the parts of it, the functions and how to optimize the irrigation and the conditions of the plant so that it can be in the best conditions.

Today I come to talk about the different parts that make up the root of a plant. Knowing what are the parts of the root can help us when planting, watering, maintaining them, knowing the type of soil that suits them best, etc. Do you want to know more about the parts of the root?

Characteristics of the roots

Before knowing the different parts that make up the roots, it would be good to know the functions and characteristics that these perform during the life of the plant. The first thing is to know the characteristics of the roots.

Well, the root is born from the radicle of the embryo and lacks stems, leaves or branches. The length and color of the roots are variable and depend on the type of plant. The root is the organ that has the plant that makes its support possible and is necessary if it wants to absorb the mineral salts and water from the soil and transport them to the rest of the plant. It serves as a reserve organ to accumulate the substances and nutrients that will then be assimilated.

Most roots are underground and acquire nutrients from the soil. But there are also aquatic and even aerial roots. Many of the roots are useful and serve as food, such as beets, carrots and cassava; others serve as medicine, like ginger; and others are used in the industry, such as turmeric.

Function of the roots

The roots perform different functions in the plant depending on the type that is. However, these are the most common functions:

• It fulfills the function of absorption. This is the most well-known function and it is about absorbing the water and the mineral substances that are dissolved in it by the absorbent hairs that are available.
• Another function is to fix the plant to the ground to keep them secure and in good condition. This is not true when it comes to aerial roots or the roots of floating aquatic plants.
• They fulfill a driving function. That is to say, the root is the one that drives the absorbed water to the rest of the plant for its feeding and correct operation. In addition, it also conducts the minerals it gets from the soils.
• It works as a food reserve organ. Not only is it able to absorb nutrients from the soil and carry it throughout the plant, but it is also capable of reserving food substances for when the plant needs nutrients and the environment is short of it.

Parts of the root

Once we have seen the characteristics and the function that the root fulfills, we will see what parts they have:

• Neck: The roots have the neck that is located at the level of the soil surface and is the one that communicates the root with the stem.
• Branching zone: In this area that is in the neck and the area of ​​the hair (area where the hair is absorbing) is where the roots are branching and form other secondary roots to increase the area of ​​absorption of nutrients, water and minerals .
• Pilliferous zone: In this area are the hairs responsible for the absorption of minerals, water and nutrients. It presents a conical shape, with the lower hairs shorter than the upper ones.
• Zone of cellular division: It is the zone that is included between the pyliferous zone and the cap. It is in this area where the growth of the root takes place.
• Coif: It is the rigid cap that protects the tip of the root when it is introduced into the interior of the earth.

With this information you can know which parts have the roots and the function of the same for the plants.