Anchor of the plants!

Objective: To observe and identify the types of roots present in plants.

Materials Required: A wheat, Maize or rice plant; a plant of pea, balsam or marigold; a hand lens.
Procedure: Uproot the plants carefully so that the roots are not broken. Wash the roots with water to remove any soil sticking to the roots.
Now observe the roots and answer the following questions:
1. Do all these roots have the same structure? Yes/No
2.If no, then how are they different?
3.Which plant has a main, thick centrally placed vertically growing main root from which branches are coming out?
4. Which plant has fibre like roots that spread in the soil?
5. Can you name any other plant near your surroundings that have similar roots?

Interpretation: Grasses and cereal plants have fibre like roots that spread in the soil. Such roots are known as Fibrous roots. Plants like pea, balsam, marigold and tulsi have a main root that grows vertically into the soil and gives out smaller branches. Such roots are known as Taproots.

Reinforcement: · You must have observed vegetables like carrots, beetroot and radish. These are actually modified roots. To which of the root categories mentioned above do these belong? You may not be able to uproot all the plants to know about their root system. How will you find out the type of root present? (Hint: Try to compare the leaves of such plants with the ones whose roots you have already observed.)