Roots
Root is the part of the plant that usually grows below the ground.
There are two main types of roots, taproots and fibrous roots.
Taproots
It consists of a main, thick root from which small roots grow. Plants such as tomato, brinjal and capsicum have taproots.
Fibrous roots
It consists of many thin roots that appear bushy. There is no main root. Plants such as grass, wheat and onion have fibrous roots.
Some plants store extra food in their roots. Some of these roots such as radish, turnip, beetroot and carrot can be eaten by human beings.
Functions of the root
No plant can live or grow without roots. Hence, roots are very important.
(i) A root holds a plant erect and in one place.
(ii) Roots hold a plant firmly to the soil.
(iii) Roots absorb water and minerals from the soil and pass them to the plant.
(iv) Some roots store food for the plant.
Roots of plants like carrot, turnip, radish and beetroot store food. These can be eaten.