Importance of Plant Roots

Serena Cuoghi
Title of Professor of Biology

Roots in plants are a fundamental and essential part of their structure and growth. Without them, the plants could not develop in any way, so much so that from the very process of germination of the seeds, the radicle, the organ that gives rise to the roots, is the first part of the seedling that begins to grow and seek where to expand, leaving in demonstrates its value, and that extends to the ecosystem in general due to the following aspects: 1) they provide the necessary support to sustain the plant; 2) they are the main means of nutrient absorption; 3) many plant species generate in them a reserve of nutrients in various forms, mostly carbohydrates; and 4) they establish trophic relationships with other organisms, such as fungi – an association known as mycorrhiza – for the transformation and absorption of nutrients, increasing biodiversity, among others goodness.

The diet of both humans and other animal species is also a matter that is influenced by the existence of roots, which They even become an essential factor in the economy of many cultures, both for their nutritional contributions and for the medicinal properties they can harbor.

Between absorption and support

First of all, the roots are responsible for the absorption of water and nutrients that are essential for the growth and survival of the plant. The roots are covered with a layer of specialized cells for this function, and can even take advantage of the moisture and nutrients that come from the aerial environment when they are exposed to it, especially when it comes to epiphytic plants, therefore, all roots have the ability to capture these elements and direct them towards the upper parts of the plants, so that they can properly comply with the processes of photosynthesis and breathing.

Secondly, the roots also play an important role in anchoring the plant to the soil. Growing deep in the soil, the roots provide a firm support for the plant, allowing it to withstand buffeting from strong winds and rain. This is especially important for large plants, such as trees. and tall shrubs, which need a strong base to stay upright and well anchored to the ground.

When size matters

The relationship between the proportions of the roots, the soils and the success in the survival and productivity of the plants is one of the main reasons for the which research in the field of botany and agriculture is constantly looking for ways to improve and optimize the structure and growth of the roots of the plants, since the understanding of the dynamics of the roots itself is essential for the development of new agricultural techniques that allow a more efficient and sustainable production of food, as well as for the development of new forms of restoration and conservation of ecosystems natural.

On the other hand, the larger the plant, the larger the dimensions required for its support will also be, so the characteristics of the Roots vary as much as the plant species themselves, providing us with an essential source of information for the study and interpretation of the evolutionary processes that plants have experienced through the ages and how they have been able to adapt to different media.

Soils also benefit

From a more ecologically oriented vision, we find that roots also play an important role in soil conservation and its prevention of erosion, as a consequence of the fact that they manage to provide greater firmness to the soil, particularly when there is a considerable population of plants together and intertwining their roots, a phenomenon that becomes especially important in areas with a rugged topography or in areas with heavy rainfall, where erosion is a problem frequent.

Similarly, roots are also of great importance for the sustainability of biodiversity and the health of ecosystems in general, because plants They are a fundamental part of the food chain and the processes of transformation and use of energy, providing food, as well as shelter for a great variety of animals, also allowing the shelter of fungi, viruses, bacteria and even algae capable of generating their own contributions in favor of the quality of the floors.

In addition to this, the roots of the plants also help to maintain the quality of the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, being in many cases capable of containing chloroplasts in their surface cells for photosynthesis, as occurs with most orchids and bromeliads

References

Frasier, I., Alvarez, C., Fernández, R., Quiroga, A. R., & Noellemeyer, E. (2020). Importance of roots on edaphic processes. Argentine Association of Regional Consortiums for Agricultural Experimentation-AACREA.

Lindorf, H., De Parisca, L., & Rodríguez, P. (1991). Botany: Classification, Structure, Reproduction. UCV Editions of the Library. Caracas Venezuela.

Sanchez, L. h. B., & Pelaez, J. d. L. (2005). Total mass and nutrient content in fine roots of forest ecosystems (Pinus patula schltdl and Cham cupressus Lusitanica mill and Quercus humboldtii bonpl.) from Piedras Blancas, Antioquia-Colombia. National Faculty of Agronomy Magazine Medellín, 58(2), 2907-2929.

Villa, C. (1996). Biology. 8th Edition. Mexico. McGraw-Hill.