Question

Is coconut a tap root?

Answer 1

Roots are the part of the plant that plays a major role in anchorage and providing nutrition to the plant. Coconut is a plant that contains a hair-like structure on the surface of the root. They are generally fibrous and thread-like structures.

Complete answer:
The root is an underground, cylindrical, descending part of the plant axis that develops from the radicle. They are generally non-green, brownish in colour. They do not have nodes, internodes, leaves and buds. They arise from endogenous lateral branches, i.e., lateral branches from roots arise from the interior of the main root. Such an origin is called endogenous.

Roots and their endogenous lateral branches constitute the root system. Taproots are those roots that originate from the radicle and persist throughout the life of the plant. It is also underground, nongreen and bears root hair and root cap. It along with its branches form a tap root system that has a single deep-seated main root which is thick at the base and tapers gradually towards the apex. They are vertical in position, secondary roots are oblique or horizontal while tertiary roots run in different directions.

Coconut is not considered as a tap root else it is a fibrous root. The roots in this plant consist of fibrous roots developing from the stem’s base and helps in providing good anchorage with proper absorption of water and minerals. It contains a number of thin roots that grow inward from the plant that is near the surface. There are only a few of them which penetrate deep into the soil for stability.

Note: Fibrous roots are the system of roots that are generally thin, moderately branching roots that are growing from the step. These roots are present in monocotyledonous plants and in ferns. They look like a mat made from roots only then when the tree reaches the age of full maturity. They are generally close to the surface and their leaves are generally parallel venation type.