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Difference Between Taproot and Fibrous Root

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Last updated date: 22nd Mar 2024
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An Introduction

Among the numerous differences which dicotyledons and monocotyledons have, none is as dissimilar as their root structure. Dicots have taproots while monocots have fibrous roots. The latter type is also often referred to as adventitious roots.


The differences between tap roots and fibrous roots are many. Not only do they share differing structures they also have varying roles to play in the plants’ lifetime.


As advanced students of biology, you must be abreast of these differences and similarities. To understand and absorb these complex topics you must first learn a bit more on these roots themselves.


What is a Tap Root?

A tap root is a single root which burrows deep into the ground. It has very few lateral roots or outgrowth; it is also often quite straight, provided the surface is suitable. It is simply a differentiation of a dicot’s primary root, formed when the seedling is still in its developmental phase. Tap roots are unique and identify features of all dicotyledons.


These roots can act as food storage units for plants. They also provide excellent anchoring. Flowering dicotyledonous plants- like dandelions, roses, sunflowers and marigolds- are rather difficult to pull out thanks to their root structure.


Now, take a look at a rose’s tap root system below.


Although the image above is not in color, you can observe the single thick root with minimal outgrowth.


A tap root system can penetrate a long way underground. They are thus effective in searching for valuable nutrients. This singular property also helps dicots withstand long periods of drought or low rainfall.


Did you know?

A mesquite plant (Prosopis velutina or velvet mesquite is a good example) can have tap roots extending more than 150 feet below ground! Research on the Internet on how these plants play an important part in desert ecology!


Here is an image for you below of a velvet mesquite tree in Texas, USA.


What is a Fibrous Root?

A fibrous or adventitious root system is seen in monocots. The root does not have any single and central structure. Instead, this root system looks like a mesh of evenly-sized, thick, hair-like structures. Such roots do not penetrate too deep underground.


Such a root structure can grow underground- into the soil- and even aboveground. In this latter instance, it is called an ‘aerial fibrous root.’ At times, fibrous roots can grow in all directions around a plant.


One rule-of-thumb difference between a tap root and fibrous root is that the former can never form over-ground.


Notably, these roots prevent soil erosion. Since they are extensively large, they are capable of accumulating resources and nutrients even in arid land. However, note that these roots are not as survival-capable as the monocots’ tap roots.


Many flowering plants have fibrous roots. These include lilies, tulips and daffodils.


Trivia: Lilies come in many shades. The orange lily is commonly held to be the most rarely bred because they consume a lot of water.


Now, here is how lily roots look like

.

Apart from appearances, there are several aspects in which these two root types differ. For your benefit, they have been presented in a tabulated manner below, alongside a picture.


Differences between Tap Roots and Fibrous Roots

Characteristics

Tap roots

Fibrous roots

Origin

Grows from a seed’s radicle.

Develops from stem tissue.

Thickness

Primary root thicker than tertiary outgrowth.

All roots are almost always equally thick.

Occurrence

Found in dicotyledons.

Found in monocotyledons.

Anchorage

Primary tap root is straight and thick. Tertiary and secondary roots provide added support.

A number of main roots might arise. These will then branch out further.

Nature of growth

Usually grows underground. Can go pretty deep.

May grow under or over ground. May surround the mother plant too.

Lifespan

Plants with tap roots usually live longer.

Such plants have comparatively shorter lives.

Water absorption facility

Tap roots can fetch water from deep underground. Hardy and resilient.

Fibrous roots need periodic irrigation and adequate care to survive.

Storage

May store food at times.

Almost always unable to store food for its mother plant.


Tap Root and Fibrous Root Similarities

These two root types have some similar features. The crucial ones are:

  • Both have the ultimate goal of absorbing water and essential nutrients from the soil.

  • Both may grow underground, unlike some other root variants which almost exclusively grow aboveground.

  • Both variants provide anchorage to its mother plant.

  • Lastly, these variants are only found in higher plants i.e. vascular plants. 


Tap Root and Fibrous Root Examples


Given below for your quick reference is a list of examples.


Plants with tap roots include beetroot, parsley, parsnip, carrots, dandelions, radish and cannabis.


Plants with fibrous roots include wheat and rice, clover, onions, bamboo and millet. 


Tips to Easily Handle NEET 

Besides reading up and memorizing on the list of plants with tap roots and those with fibrous roots, there are some other ways on how you can handle botany-based questions in general and the NEET exam overall.


Start remembering the diagrams of botany-based questions which have appeared in previous years’ papers. These will help you learn and retain the basic concepts without too much text to digest.


You must have noticed how it is easier to remember those essential differences between tap roots and fibrous roots once you have seen photos of actual examples.


Along with reading the best NEET books, make sure to have adequate rest. Also, stick to a good diet and sleep routine for better performance. 



Good study material is the most critical aspect of any exam preparation. It is very important to study from the correct NEET study material in order to pass the test. The finest NEET book to study for the test is NCERT. Aspirants may get advice from NEET professors and toppers, as well as read their interviews and see which books they mentioned. Candidates may learn about the approach and NEET preparation tactics of NEET toppers by watching their interviews.


For physics, Students can refer to Concepts of Physics Vol I and II by H.C. Verma, The Feynman Lectures on Physics Vol. II & Vol. II, Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday, Resnick & Walker. For biology, students can refer to 11th and 12th NCERT books, A C Dutta for botany. For physics, students can refer to Modern Approach to Chemical Calculations by R. C. Mukherjee, Organic Chemistry by M. S. Chauhan. Students can also go to our website for the study. We provide all types of study material on one platform. Students can study anytime as they get quick access to study material.


How can Vedantu help students?

Vedantu is a web-based platform that provides free PDF downloads and quick access to all problem-solving resources. The topics presented in the school curriculum are simply downloaded and read by students. They also provide online instruction for the students studying for the entrance examinations like NEET and JEE. All of the lecturers are professionals in their professions and can help students plan for the future. You may also use the website to study for board examinations and admissions exams. All the topics are explained in detail and the experts make sure that they use easy and simple language while explaining the topics so that it becomes easy for the students to understand, learn and study. We have a specialized and professional team of experts who work hard for preparing the solutions and notes for students. We want every student to score by studying from our solutions which are available for free and in PDF format. It can be downloaded for offline use.


Best wishes!

FAQs on Difference Between Taproot and Fibrous Root

1. Which live longer- plants with tap roots or those with fibrous roots?

It has been observed that plants with tap roots live longer on average than those with adventitious or fibrous roots. Taproots absorb minerals and water from the soil through root hairs also known as tiny roots which extend from the outer layer of the root. Taproots act as the storehouse of the food. For example, carrot and beetroot, the root is a modified storehouse of sugar, starch and nutrition. Deep taproots are able to extract minerals from deep layers of soil that is why plants with taproots live longer.

2. Which root type will provide greater support to a plant in case of strong winds or storms?

Plants with tap roots are much more difficult to uproot than those with fibrous roots. That is why roses, as pictured above, are difficult to root out with a single pull. But onions, which have fibrous roots, are easier to pull out. Taproots are grown underground. That is why they are called edible roots. For example, radish, carrots. However, the roots of plants with fibrous roots penetrate in soil but the plant is grown above ground level. For example, roses, etc. 

3. Which of these two root systems store food or nutrients for a tree?

Tap roots are the ones which store food and nutrients for a tree. Fibrous roots do not have any such function. Taproots are adapted to store food. Some examples of taproots are carrot, radish, and beetroot. The primary taproot of these plants has been modified to store carbohydrates and sugars. The reserved food can be used to guarantee that the flower stem and seeds develop properly. Plants with fibrous root systems don't generally have roots that have been adapted to store food.

4. What is the purpose of the taproot?

Taproot is when one primary root penetrates straight down deep into the soil, it is called a taproot. It has a relatively small number of lateral roots that emerge and grow from the primary root. Taproots have both dicotyledons and gymnosperms. In this kind of root system, the main is the longest and the largest and lateral roots are smaller and shorter. Taproots can extract water and minerals from deep inside the soil thus making them drought tolerant.

5. Difference between taproots and fibrous roots?

Taproots consist of one main root whereas, in fibrous roots, the primary root is eliminated. Taproots penetrate deep inside soil whereas fibrous roots are shallow and don't penetrate as deep as taproots. Taproots have monocots. However, taproots have dicots. Taproots act as the storehouse of food for the plant whereas the fibrous roots can’t store food, it just provides water and minerals for carrying out photosynthesis.The taproot, unlike the fibrous root, does not retain many soil particles together at the earth's surface.


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