WHEN THE ROOTS ARE

DEEP AND STRONG,

THERE’S NO REASON TO
FEAR THE WIND.
 AGRICULTURE BOTANY
(AGR3101)
DR. MOHD FIRDAUS ISMAIL
JABATAN SAINS TANAMAN
FAKULTI PERTANIAN, UPM
mohd.firdaus@upm.edu.my // 03-89474965
MORPHOLOGY OF PLANT
VEGETATIVE PART

ROOT MORPHOLOGY
STEM MORPHOLOGY
LEAF MORPHOLOGY
LECTURE OUTLINE

 INTRODUCTION
 FUNCTIONS OF ROOT
 ROOT SYSTEM
 ROOTS MODIFICATION
 INTRODUCTIONS
1. First vascular plants (Rhyniophyta)
lacked roots; absorption of water
and nutrients was facilitated by
rhizoids
2. Through changes in environment
they evolved into roots
3. The major structural adaptations of
roots are directly related to their
functions

4. Important function such as

anchorage, absorption and
transport of minerals and waters and
storage of food were established
5. As plant increased in size the
problem of anchorage
became more important, and
this is reflected in root structure

6. Most large plants have tap

root system and small plant
have fibrous root system
 HOW ROOT DEVELOP
During seed germination, the tiny
rootlike structure call radicle which
is part of the embryo, grows out of
the seed to develop root

Therefore, starting point or

originate from radicle
Origin of root
Plumule (shoot)

Radicle (root)
Root hairs

Root hairs

Root tip
 Root tip
1. Apical meristem

Meristematic cells;
actively dividing and
developing new cells

2. Root cap-Single
cells

Protective tissue
apex
for apex
Parenchymous
Lateral/Secondary (2º) root

• Withroot cap and hairs

• From pericycle
FUNCTIONS OF ROOT
 SUPPORT SYSYEM
- anchoring plant to soil/medium

 ABSORBING WATER AND NUTRIENT

-more 2 and 3 root, better absorption

 PRODUCE HORMONES
- auxin, gibberellin
ROOT SYSTEM
1. Fibrous root systems
 Many small roots that spread
out laterally from the base of
the stem

 Development of tap root

stop growing leaving fibrous
root
Examples :
Corn (Zea mays)
Banana (Musa sp.)
Grass
2°&3° 2. TAP ROOT SYSTEMS

 FURTHER DEVELOPMENT
OF RADICLE INTO TAP
ROOT

 INCLUDES 2° AND 3 °
ROOT
1°
Gymnosperms and dicotyledones
are characterized by tap root
systems

Monocotyledones most commonly

have fribrous root systems

Roots of ferns and lycophytes are

usually adventitious roots that
originates from stem
ROOTS MODIFICATION
Adventitious root
Adventitious = structures or
organs developing in an
unusual position
Adventitious roots = roots
originating on the stem
Also known as prop root
Absorb nutrient and also for
strong support
 ADVENTITIOUS/PROP ROOTS
- Above ground; from nodes

Sorghum sp. Pandanus sp.

Aerial root
Orchids
Roots on tree branches
and spread along the
surface
White surface = velamen
(dead cells)
Water proof barrier i.e. not
permitting water loss
 Orchid

velamen

Aerial root
BUTTRESS ROOTS
Roots with broad-like or
plank-like. Growth on upper
side for support

Base of tree trunk

When soil is wet and unstable

PNEUMATOPHORES
Bakau - Rhizophora sp.
Modified prop root

Plant grow in marsh/swamp

subjected to powerful water
current and wind

Provide stability and grip

 Function
Pneumatophores allow water-
logged roots to obtain Oxygen
which is essential for respiration.

They may also contain

Lenticels which permit the entry
of air into structures that are
covered by Periderm.
TUBEROUS ROOTS

Cassava - Manihot esculentum

BEROUS ROOTS

Carrot – Daucus carota

Function
Food storage
Starch
ROOT NODULES
Nodules contain
Nitrogen fixing bacterium

Legume family

Symbiotic relationship
MYCORRHIZAE
Symbiotic relationship
between plants and soil fungi

Association are known as

mycorrhizae

2 main type endo- and ecto-

ECTOMYCORRHIZAL
Nearly all
woody forest
plants
Fungal hyphae
penetrate the
outermost root
cortex cell but
never invade
the cell
ENDOMYCORRHIZAL
Herbaceous
plants
Hyphae
penetrate
root cortex
into the
endodermis
Invade cell
THANK YOU