Difference Between Dicot And Monocot Root

What Are Dicots And Monocots?

Dicots, short for dicotyledons, and monocots, short for monocotyledons, are the two classes of flowering plants classified based on the number of cotyledons or seed leaves in their seeds. Dicots possess two cotyledons in their seeds, whereas monocots possess only one. These two groups are different structurally and anatomically; this, in turn, influences their growth patterns and consequently their ecological functions.

Classification of plants into dicots and monocots reveals central importance in general principles of botany and points to growth habits, structure and the ecological way in which the plants interact. Such differences are pretty important in identifying the species of plants, and also for agricultural and horticultural uses.

Table: Difference Between Dicot And Monocot Root

Dicot Roots

Dicot roots have a Tap Root system. It is a system where the roots tend to develop one main root which develops towards the downside. This main root tends to have side roots that tend to develop into branch roots.

Taproot System

• Central Taproot: Extends to parlous depths of the soil, thereby helping the plant to withstand adverse conditions, and facilitating the absorption of water and nutrients from the soil at the hard-to-reach deeper levels.

• Secondary or Lateral Roots: Originate from the central taproot and act as a means of complementing the latter in anchorage duties, and support.

Dicot Roots Anatomy

Dicots have a more complicated root system with much more complicated structures and layers important in this root system's function.

• Epidermis: The outermost layer of cells with gives protection and absorbs nutrients.

• Cortex: It is the tissue present under the epidermis; it is a place where nutrients are stored, and it partly aids in the transportation of water.

• Endodermis: A single layer of cells enclosing the vascular tissue. It is a unidirectional canal system, which serves to regulate water and nutrient entrance into the xylem.

• Pericycle: The cell layer that is positioned just interior to endodermis. This layer presents around the stele and where the lateral root originates, and it contributes to secondary growth.

• Vascular Bundles: dicots have xylem vessels that are found in a star-like pattern; in between the arms of the phloem tissue.

Growth Pattern In Dicot Roots

Dicot roots have primary growth and secondary growth. Thus grows both in length and width.

• Primary Growth: A process resulting in the elongation of the root tip and the development of new cells.

• Secondary Growth: Responsible for the thickening of the root via cambium activity, leading to an increase in the diameter of the root.

Monocot Roots

The majority of the grasses are monocots, and they have a fibrous root system where many roots of approximately the same size stem from the base of the stem.

Fibrous Root System

• Dense Network: From the base of the stem, several roots arise, forming a mat-like appearance as roots.

• Fibrous Roots: No one root grows bigger than the rest; lots of similarly sized roots for anchorage and nutrient collection.

Structure Of Monocot Root

The roots of monocots are less derived compared to the dicots, as there is less differentiation of the tissues.

• Epidermis: Similar function in the dicot root, for protection and absorption.

• Cortex: Large area of parenchyma cells for storage of nutrients, also used to help transport water.

• Endodermis: Single layer around the vascular bundles. It helps in the control of nutrients and water collection.

• Vascular Bundles: In the roots of the monocot, the xylem and phloem are scattered in the central core without any definite pattern.

Growth Pattern In Monocot Root

• Monocot root does not undergo any secondary growth. This puts a limit on its diameter increase.

• Monocots have only primary growth. This growth does not lead to the root thickening process.