10 FACTS ON...
Roots
by Philip McIntosh
1
10
The roots of plants usually go
unseen (unless you are running
an NFT or aeroponic system),
but they are down there doing
the important work of bringing
in water and nutrients so the
plant can grow.
2
3
Fibrous roots as seen on
tomato plants consist of
a network of thin, highly
branched filaments that grow
outwards in many directions.
4
9
Tap roots, typified in the
carrot, are thick and
fleshy with a single main
axis, or in some cases
one or two side branches.
What about the deepest
roots? A specimen of Boscia
albitrunca (Shepherd’s tree)
in South Africa was found
to have roots extending
downward to a distance of
223 ft., but there are probably
deeper ones out there.
8
5
Although we are familiar with
the green, photosynthetic
tissues of leaves, in vitro, hairy
root cultures of a number
of species will develop
chloroplasts and turn green
when exposed to light.
Not all root structures exist
underground. Buttress
roots (Ficus) and stilt roots
(walking palm) have a tough
outer covering that provides
above-ground support.
6
Some plants have found
a way to survive without
roots. Members of the
genus Cuscuta (dodder)
are parasites that attach
to the stems of other
plants and extend tendrils
(haustoria) into their host
to extract sustenance.
7
What plant species has
the largest root system? It
might be the Aspen tree.
Aspens are a clonal species
with all stems connected
together by a single, massive,
underground root system.
The roots of plants living
in the tundra and in
grassland prairies are
generally much shallower.
Plants living in dry
environments often have
deep root systems so
they can access water
far below the surface.
Maximum Yield USA | June 2016
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