Any plant with an edible underground storage organ is known as a root and tuber crop.it can be divided into two parts namely modified root and modified stem. Again modified roots can be divided into two parts; taproots and adventitious roots.
The stem is normally divided into nodes and internodes. The node holds one or more leaves, but buds that can grow into branches. The root is the usually underground portion of the plant that lacks nodes, buds, or leaves. Roots help to the absorption of Hydrogen and Inorganic nutrients. Provide anchoring of the plant body to the ground and supporting it. Roots store food and nutrients and help for vegetative reproduction.
Several Types Of Roots Modifications For Food Storage
1. Napiform
It’s a tap root modification. Spherical in shape. There is a swollen base origin of the root. Abruptly tapers towards the lower end forming a tail-like structure.
Eg: Beet
2. Fusiform
It’s a tap root modification. There is a swollen primary root in the middle. Tapers gradually at both the ends forming a spindle-shaped structure.
Eg: Radish
3. Conical
It’s a tap root modification. Roots are swollen. Broad at the base. Apex parts gradually tape forming corn-like structures.
Eg: Carrot
4. Tuberous/Tubercular Roots
It’s an adventitious root modification. Roots are thick and fleshy. Do not form any defined shape.
Eg : Sweet potato, yam, cassava
Guide - Root and Tuber Crops - Life and Agri
The stem is normally divided into nodes and internodes. The node holds one or more leaves, but buds that can grow into branches. The root is the usually underground portion of the plant that lacks nodes, buds, or leaves. Roots help to the absorption of Hydrogen and Inorganic nutrients. Provide anchoring of the plant body to the ground and supporting it. Roots store food and nutrients and help for vegetative reproduction.
Several Types Of Roots Modifications For Food Storage
1. Napiform
It’s a tap root modification. Spherical in shape. There is a swollen base origin of the root. Abruptly tapers towards the lower end forming a tail-like structure.
Eg: Beet
2. Fusiform
It’s a tap root modification. There is a swollen primary root in the middle. Tapers gradually at both the ends forming a spindle-shaped structure.
Eg: Radish
3. Conical
It’s a tap root modification. Roots are swollen. Broad at the base. Apex parts gradually tape forming corn-like structures.
Eg: Carrot
4. Tuberous/Tubercular Roots
It’s an adventitious root modification. Roots are thick and fleshy. Do not form any defined shape.
Eg : Sweet potato, yam, cassava
Guide - Root and Tuber Crops - Life and Agri