Question

Storage roots found in clusters at base of stem are
A. Nodulose roots
B. Annulated roots
C. Tuberous roots
D. Fasciculated roots
E. Moniliform roots

Answer 1

Hint: Storage roots are the roots where adventitious roots become swollen to store food.

Complete Answer:
A) Nodulose roots: These roots become swollen at their tips due to accumulation of food e.g., Maranta sp. (Arrowroot), Curcuma amada (Mango – ginger).

B) Annulated roots: The roots of a medicinal plant, Ipecac (Cephaelis ipecacuanha) yields emetine that looks like discs placed one above another, therefore, called annulated.

C) Tuberous roots: These adventitious roots are swollen without any definite shape e.g., Ipomoea batata or (sweet potato).

D) Fasciculated roots: These are tuberous roots arising in clusters from the base of the stem. e.g., Dahlia, Ruellia (Menow weed), Asparagus (Asparagus fern) etc.

E) Moniliform or beaded roots: These are adventitious roots which are swollen at regular intervals like beads of a necklace. For example, Basella rubra (India spinach), Momordica and some grasses.
Storage roots found in clusters at the base of a stem are called fasciculated roots because the adventitious roots of the plants are modified to store food giving it a fasciculated appearance.

So, the correct option is 'Fasciculated roots'.

Note: Fasciculated roots is a modified adventitious root.
- These roots are either swollen or they form root tubers in clusters.
Eg- Dahlia and Asparagus.
- In Dahlia, these swollen roots lie at the base of the stem whereas, in Asparagus the swollen roots occur at intervals on the roots.