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What is the difference between a taproot and fibrous roots?

Class 6 ScienceNCERT chapter: Diversity in the Living Worldइसे हिंदी में पढ़ें

Exam-ready answer

A taproot system has one main thick root that grows straight down, with smaller lateral roots branching from it, as in mustard, mango and pea. Fibrous roots are many thin roots of about the same size that grow from the base of the stem, with no main root, as in wheat, maize, rice and grass.

Explanation

To compare roots, gently uproot two small plants, such as a mustard plant and a tuft of grass or a wheat plant, and wash off the soil. The mustard plant shows one long, thick root going deep into the soil, with thinner roots branching from its sides. This main root is the taproot and the side branches are lateral roots. The grass shows a bunch of thin, thread-like roots that all look alike.

The two root types hold the plant in different ways. A taproot reaches deeper layers of soil, anchoring tall plants such as trees firmly and drawing water from further down. Fibrous roots spread sideways near the surface and grip the topsoil like a net, which also helps hold the soil in place and reduces soil erosion. Both types absorb water and minerals from the soil and fix the plant in the ground.

There is a useful link between roots and leaves. Plants with taproots usually have leaves with reticulate venation, where the veins form a net-like pattern on both sides of the midrib, as in hibiscus and mango leaves. Plants with fibrous roots usually have leaves with parallel venation, where the veins run side by side, as in grass, wheat and banana leaves. So looking at a leaf often tells us the type of root.

Points to remember

  1. Taproot: one main (primary) root with smaller lateral roots growing from it.
  2. Fibrous roots: a bunch of thin roots of similar size arising from the base of the stem; there is no main root.
  3. Taproot examples: mustard, mango, pea, hibiscus, neem. Fibrous root examples: wheat, maize, rice, grass, onion.
  4. Leaves with reticulate venation usually go with a taproot; leaves with parallel venation usually go with fibrous roots.
  5. Roots anchor the plant in the soil and absorb water and minerals.

Exam tip

Draw a simple labelled diagram of both root systems side by side, marking the main root and lateral roots, and write two examples under each.

Questions students also ask

Is a carrot a taproot?
Yes. A carrot is a taproot that has become thick and fleshy because it stores food. Radish and beetroot are also swollen taproots. Each still has a single main root, with thin lateral roots growing from its surface.
Which plants have fibrous roots?
Grasses and cereal crops such as wheat, maize and rice have fibrous roots. Onion, banana and coconut palm also have fibrous roots. These plants usually have leaves with parallel venation, where the veins run side by side.
What are lateral roots?
Lateral roots are the smaller roots that branch out sideways from the main taproot. They spread through the soil, increase the area for absorbing water and minerals, and help hold the plant firmly in place.

Chapter labels help you find the topic in your textbook. Check your own edition: chapter names and order can change. These are Know.it explanations, not official NCERT solutions.