The root system is a vital plant organ that performs many functions, the most important of which is to supply plants with moisture with useful substances and keep them in their place. In the process of plant development, the roots were divided into main, adventitious and lateral. And the conditions of existence contributed to the modification of the root system and the following roots developed: tubers, respiratory, mycorrhiza, stilted and trailer roots, each of which is designed to perform specific functions.
Evolution
It is known that plants began their development from water. The first land-dwellers were distinguished by a primitive structure and had neither shoots nor roots. They were a fleshy substance of dense texture with many branches, some of which stretched upwards, while others spread along the ground and were saturated with moisture with the necessary elements. The plants were provided with the necessary nutrition and water, because they were small and grew near a source of moisture.
With further development, creepingthe shoots began to penetrate into the ground and gave rise to the first roots, which received more saturated nutrition. The structure of plants began to rebuild, specialized tissues began to appear. Due to the formation of roots, the representatives of the flora became available to new territories, remote from the water, and they began to form powerful stems directed towards sunlight.
Reasons for modifying roots
In the context of growing competition for free land, an active modification of the roots began with its own characteristics, allowing a certain species to survive.
Roots are the main vegetative organs of plants that never overgrow with foliage and create branched root systems. All plants, with the exception of mosses, have roots, but they develop differently in different groups.
Plants have different types of roots, which can be main, lateral and adventitious. Most representatives of the flora have underground root systems. But there are also owners of underwater (duckweed) or aerial (orchids) roots.
Trailing roots deserve special attention, examples of which are represented by ivy, capsis and other creeping species. And some of their brethren have chosen a parasitic way of survival. They were able to transform trailer roots into suckers, with which they attach to other plants and feed on them.
Features of trailer roots
Sunlight is vital for any plant, so those that grow slowly are forcedadapt to emerge from the shadow of their fellows. Attachment roots are a type of adventitious roots that form on the stems from the side of the support. Their main function is to keep shoots on various substrates and promote their progress. The roots penetrate into the crevices and cracks and fill the voids, securely holding the stems of the plant on the supports. And if a smooth surface is encountered on the way, then the tips of the lower roots expand and secrete a sticky substance, through which they are firmly fixed on the plane, and the young ones continue to search for a new support. In this way, climbing plants slowly move towards their goal, carrying leaves towards the light.
What are the functions of trailer roots
In addition to the main root, climbing plants also need adventitious trailing roots, the functions of which are also invaluable.
- Fixing. Through these roots, plants are firmly held on the occupied surface and crawl to the source of light necessary for photosynthesis.
- Suction. Roots draw moisture from a loose surface, and on a hard surface they simply collect and absorb water.
- Transmitting. The collected water and nutrients are transported by the roots to the tissues of the plant.
- Oxygen saturation. Due to the fact that trailer roots are located on the stems, they contribute to the saturation of the plant body with oxygen. The main root cannot fully cope with this task, because the length of climbing plants can reach several tensmeters.
- Sometimes microorganisms settle in the roots, which, in the course of their life, produce useful substances that enter the plant shoots through the roots.
- The cumulative function is weakly expressed due to the small size of the roots, which physically cannot hold a large amount of water and minerals, so they immediately transfer them to the stem.
- Reproduction. If you separate part of the shoot and place it in the ground in a new place, then the trailing roots of the plant will take root, begin to develop, rebuild and take on the functions of the main root. Thus, representatives of the flora can quickly spread through the free territory and on their own.
The roots can perform all these functions due to their structure, in which several zones are distinguished.
How trailer roots work
If you cut the spine lengthwise and put it under a microscope, you can see that it has a heterogeneous structure. It is customary to distinguish several root zones, each of which is designed to perform its function. The root consists of:
- A root cap that covers a young spine, protecting it from environmental influences, facilitating progress and indicating direction.
- Zones of division, in which the formation of new cells occurs, ensuring the growth of the root.
- Growth zone, the cells of which no longer divide, but stretch and push the root tip forward.
- Suction zone covered with root hairs. They are responsible for the absorption of water and nutrients.
- The conductive zone, whichformed by vessels and cells that help transfer water and minerals to the stem and leaves, and returns organic matter that is formed in the shoots and leaves.
- Lateral root zones where branching begins.
Thanks to this structure, where each zone has its own functions, the plant receives everything necessary for further growth and development.
Examples
Plants with trailing roots are a real find for landscape design. They can advantageously decorate the garden without taking up much space, because they grow vertically and in free territory. Such plants are ideal for decorating arbors - they reliably cover from the sun, creating a shadow, and are decorative, introducing their trailing roots into the support. Examples of plants that climb vertically: monstera, dicentra, kampsis, parthenocissus five-leaf grapes, which are actively used to decorate the garden plot.
Climbing plants do not require special care, because they are able to independently obtain moisture and nutrition for themselves, but they need regular pruning, otherwise they will quickly fill all the free space.
