How do tap and fibrous roots differ? What are their strengths and weaknesses?
Answers
Answer:
The main root (primary root) with other minor side roots, which grow deep into the soil is called Taproot. While the fine, thick hairs like structure, that spread sideways in all the directions is called Fibrous or Adventitious root. Taproot arises from the radicle (embryonic part) of the plants, but the Fibrous root grows from the stem and leaves rather from the radicle.
Plants bear parts like stem, leaves, fruits, flowers and most importantly roots. Roots are the underground part, which helps in absorbing nutrients, water, and moisture from the soil. Most flowering plants, shrubs, and trees produce tap roots which can travel deep into the soil, while fibrous or adventitious roots are seen in grasses and reed (tall grasses) plants and grow near to the surface of the soil.
The difference between tap and fibrous roots are:
- Tap root is the main root which has other minor side roots, which grow deep into the soil.
-While fibrous roots have thick hair-like structure, that spread sideways in all the directions.
- Main root is thick in tap root system but there is no such distinction in fibrous roots.
- Tap roots are deep rooted and fibrous roots are shallow.
- Tap roots can survive in harsh drought conditions as they can absorb water from depth.
- Fibrous roots cannot do so and depend on surface water and irrigation water.
- Example of tap roots are: carrot, reddish and beets.
- Example of fibrous roots are: onion, grass and wheat.