The roots of a plant are its vegetative organs, which are underground and conduct water and, accordingly, mineral substances to the rest, to the ground, to the organs of the plant-stems, leaves, flowers and fruits. But the main function of the root is still the fixation of the plant in the soil.
On the distinctive features of root systems
The common thing in different root systems is that the root is always divided into the main, lateral and accessory ones. The main root, the root of the first order, always grows out of seed, it is the most powerfully developed and always grows vertically downward.
The lateral roots depart from it and are called second-order roots. They can branch, and from them depart subordinate roots, called the roots of the third order. They (the accessory roots) never grow on the main, but in some plant species they can grow on stems and leaves.
This whole set of roots is called the root system. And there are only two types of root systems - pivot and fibrous. And our main question concerns what differentiate the core and fungal root systems.
The core root system is characterized by the presence of a pronounced superior root, whereas the fibrous root system is formed from the accessory and lateral roots, and its main root is not expressed and is not distinguished from the total mass.
In order to better understand the difference between the core root system and the fibrous root system, consider a visual diagram of the structure of one and the second system.
The root system is rooted in such plants as roses, peas, buckwheat, valerian, parsley , carrots, maple, birch, currant, watermelon. The ear root system is in wheat, oats, barley, onions and garlic, lily, gladiolus and others.
Modified shoots under the ground
Many plants under the earth besides roots have so-called modified shoots. These are rhizomes, stolons, bulbs and tubers.
Rhizomes grow mainly parallel to the soil surface, they are needed for vegetative reproduction and storage. Externally, the rhizome is similar to the root, but in its internal structure has fundamental differences. Sometimes such shoots can come out from under the ground and form a normal shoot with leaves.
Stolons are called underground shoots, on the end of which are formed bulbs, tubers and rosette shoots.
A bulb is called a modified shoot, the storage function of which is covered with fleshy leaves, and the subordinate roots extend from the flat bottom.
Tuber is a thickened shoot with axillary buds, it functions as a store and multiply.