Root Adaptations
Many hydrophytes have adapted to comprise of a very minimal root system. This is as a result of the plants’ ecological niche, in which minerals have been dissolved in the surrounding water, and plants will gain their resources of water and minerals through direct diffusion. Therefore, there is no need for hydrophytes to have any roots. However, other hydrophytes will produce roots, due to the habitat it lives in. If the water of its habitat is rough, with extensive tidal activity, plants often grow roots to provide anchorage.
Xerophytes, on the other hand, have adapted to have roots growing in different depths in soil. The root systems of some xerophytes, such as the Saguaro cactus may grow close to the surface of the soil. This is to take advantage of any moisture that will have condensed on the soil overnight. Often these shallow root systems are very fibrous and fine, as well as covering a large radius around the plant to maximize the amount of water received from the soil [9]. Other xerophytes, like mesquite trees, have adapted to grow roots deep underneath the soil. This is so the plant can access water reservoirs deep underground, and allows the roots to absorb water from here, through osmosis. The different root systems observed are due to the variations between each plant’s ecological niches. As opposed to hydrophytes, xerophytes have extensive and well developed root systems, which allow for the maximum amount of osmosis occurring, for water to enter the plant efficiently.
Like xerophytes, the root systems of mesophytes are also very developed [14]. This is because mesophytes rely on their roots for the uptake of water and nutrients from the soil, and these resources are crucial for the plants survival. The fibrous roots systems of mesophytes consist of very fine branches, and are covered in root hairs, through which the water and dissolved minerals enter the plant by osmosis. Mesophytes focus on developing roots when water supply is sufficient, and this ensures that these plants have an adequate supply of water to survive periods of drought, when water becomes more scarce [7].
Xerophytes, on the other hand, have adapted to have roots growing in different depths in soil. The root systems of some xerophytes, such as the Saguaro cactus may grow close to the surface of the soil. This is to take advantage of any moisture that will have condensed on the soil overnight. Often these shallow root systems are very fibrous and fine, as well as covering a large radius around the plant to maximize the amount of water received from the soil [9]. Other xerophytes, like mesquite trees, have adapted to grow roots deep underneath the soil. This is so the plant can access water reservoirs deep underground, and allows the roots to absorb water from here, through osmosis. The different root systems observed are due to the variations between each plant’s ecological niches. As opposed to hydrophytes, xerophytes have extensive and well developed root systems, which allow for the maximum amount of osmosis occurring, for water to enter the plant efficiently.
Like xerophytes, the root systems of mesophytes are also very developed [14]. This is because mesophytes rely on their roots for the uptake of water and nutrients from the soil, and these resources are crucial for the plants survival. The fibrous roots systems of mesophytes consist of very fine branches, and are covered in root hairs, through which the water and dissolved minerals enter the plant by osmosis. Mesophytes focus on developing roots when water supply is sufficient, and this ensures that these plants have an adequate supply of water to survive periods of drought, when water becomes more scarce [7].