Question

Differentiate between taproots and fibrous root.

Answer 1

One of the essential root systems is tap root system. In this system the secondary and the tertiary roots develop from the primary roots. In a fibrous root system the roots develop from the main stem without any primary root.

Complete Answer:

Basis	Tap root	Fibrous roots
Definition	Secondary and tertiary roots growing downwards develop from primary roots.	A thin and moderately branching root without any primary root develops from the main stem.
Plants	Dicot plants shows this feature	Monocot plants shows this feature
Nature of roots	The roots are thicker	The roots are thin and hair like
Number of roots	Only one tap root per plant	Many fibrous roots for one plant
Position	They are always underground	They might be underground or aerial
Origin	During germination the roots develop from the radicle of embryo	Stem tissue of the plant base leads to the development of fibrous roots.
Differentiation	Primary root is differentiated into secondary and tertiary roots	As it develops from the stem no differentiation is observed
Food storage	Some tap roots acts as a storage for food Example: Carrot,Radish	They do not store food
Length	The roots are long	The roots are short
Surface area	They occupy more surface area	They occupy less surface area
Growth in soil	They grow vertically down and so they are deep into the soil	They grow horizontally in all directions and so they are not deep into the soil
Anchorage	These roots anchor the plants more firmly	These roots anchor the plants less firmly
Absorption of water	The minerals and water absorption is more efficient	The water absorption is less efficient as they are not deep into the soil
Drought	They are capable of withstanding drought	They are not capable of withstanding drought
Leaves	The leaves of this root shows reticulate venation	The leaves of this root shows parallel venation
Example	Carrots,Radish,Turnips,coriander	Grass,Wheat,maize,corn

Note: Certain assumptions indicate that taproot has evolved from fibrous roots.In some of the plants,the taproot developed during embryo stage is replaced by fibrous root on the later stage. Once the plant is developed the fibrous root appears as a mat.