Question

Is mustard a tap root?

Answer 1

Hint: Root is the part of plants that helps in attaching the plant body to the soil surface. It also helps in absorbing water and nutrients from the soil and also prevents the plants from falling at times of adverse conditions such as winds. There are two types of root systems, namely taproot and fibrous root systems.

Complete answer:
The Taproot system is typically present in dicot plants such as Mustard. In this type of root system, a larger central root is present and from the central root, a number of smaller roots originate. The central root is also known as Dominant or Primary root.

The dominant root is tapering in shape and is thick and grows vertically downwards. The taproot system is made up of the primary root along with the smaller branches arising out of it. The other examples of plants that have a tap root system are Carrot, Turnip, Sugar beet etc. In many plants, the primary root is used as a food storage organ as in Carrot, Beetroot, and Turnip. The taproot system develops from the radical of a seed.

Note: Another type of root system is known as the fibrous root system. It is formed as a number of branches arising in the form of a network from the end of the stem. This type of root system is found in monocot plants. Examples of plants that have a fibrous root system are Grasses and Coconut trees. The fibrous root system helps in binding the soil particles together and thereby prevents erosion of soil.