Question

Which modification of root does not store food?
(a) Tuberous roots
(b)Napiform roots
(c)Conical roots
(d)Stilt roots

Answer 1

These are the adventitious aerial roots that grow obliquely downward from the basal nodes of the main stem and attach firmly to the soil. These supporting roots are mainly found in those plants that grow near river banks, ponds, etc.

Complete answer:
The stilt roots are the adventitious roots that help in supporting the plant body. For this purpose, they grow from lower nodes as they have to fix into the ground to give support e.g., maize and sugarcane. The nodes are the place where new growth takes place. The tuberous, napiform, and conical roots are the types of tap root and modified for food storage.

Additional Information:
-The stilt roots arise from the first few nodal spaces of the stem as these have to penetrate down into the soil to provide support to the plant.
-A number of functions including the facilitation of rapid vertical growth to the canopy and enhanced mechanical stability, all these have been proposed as the function of stilt roots.
-The tuberous roots are the roots that are enlarged and fleshy roots modified as a storage organ with both shoots and roots. The shoots are produced at one end and the roots are produced at the other. e.g., Dahlia, Sweet potato, etc.
-The napiform root is the root which is much swollen at the base, so as to become broader than long, like that of the turnip." These are the roots that are round at the top and tapering sharply below.
-A conical root is a type of root tuber that is conical in shape,i.e.the roots are swollen at the top part and are tapering towards the tip of the root. e.g. carrot.

So, the correct option is ‘Stilt roots’.

Note:
-The stilt roots are adventitious aerial roots that grow obliquely downward from the basal nodes of the main stem and attach firmly to the soil to provide support to the plant.
-A tuberous root is an enlarged fleshy root which is modified as a storage organ.
-The napiform roots are the roots that are round at the top and tapering sharply below.
-The conical roots are swollen or broader at the top part and are tapering towards the tip of the root.