Lecture 5: Starchy Staple, root design and function Flashcards
What are the characteristics of the root?
lower part of axis subterranean lack of chlorophyll indeterminate apical meristem highly branched
How many axes and laterals does winter rye have?
13 million (about 1 million per day)
What is the total length on average occupied by the roots of winter rye?
greater than 500 km
What is the average surface area covered by the roots of winter rye?
greater than 200 m^2
What are the functions of roots?
anchorage absorption (water and minerals) storage (has parenchyma) rhizosphere synthesis ( roots can make particular compounds)
What does it mean by rhizosphere?
the bacteria and fungi extend the plants’ reach into the soil
Describe dicot roots
branch acropetally
the tap root penetrate deeper than monocots
due to acropetal structure; binds less tightly to soil
suberized (make wood)
secondary growth ( the formation of vascular cambium and cork cambium)
Describe monocot roots
wide branch angle (enables it to bind more tightly to soil)
sclerenchyma cells conger rigidity
shallow roots
Describe the penetration process of a dicot?
radicle to
tap root to
lateral roots
Describe the penetration of monocot roots
tap root to
fibrous adventitious
Define contractile roots
eg. carrots, hyacinth, sugar beet
- contracts up to 70%
- swells outwards
- draws apex down the soil
- contracted part may be a storage organ
What is the benefit of contracting these organs?
So that it won’t get eaten; keep the energy
true or false; soil structure affects growth
true
How does compact soil affect root growth?
resistance to root growth
How does lots of water in the soil affect root growth?
slows down root growth
How does less water in the soil affect root growth?
speeds up root growth; extensive branching
Why does less water speed up root growth?
because there is less amount of nutrients available
What is the flood response of roots?
formation of aerenchyma
What are hard pans?
iron rich soils
rigid pore structure
roots only grow in cracks
What happens when a root meets a pore smaller than itself (in hard pan soil)
the root forces the crack to open
How does the root force the small pore to open?
diameter of the root increases
tissue distortion
small extension zone
many root hairs grow in the zone of maturation thus increasing anchorage for pushing
What do you call roots that extract O2 from the atmosphere?
pneumatophores (mangroves)
What is the purpose of pneumatophores?
so that the starch (energy) stored in the roots can be released via respiration
What are epiphytes
- don’t grow on soil
- can absorb atmospheric moisture and nutrients via VELAMEN