Answer to Question #145588 in Zoology for MG

Question

1. What are adventitious roots? Give examples of plants with this type of root.

Answer 1

Adventitious roots arise after injury to roots or from main stem, branch, or other tissues. Adventitious roots develop from preformed root primordia or from induced primordia by division of parenchyma cells, similar to the process of initiation of normal lateral roots. Prior to their emergence from the parent root, adventitious roots differentiate an apical meristem, root cap, and the beginning of a vascular cylinder.

Adventitious roots include those formed on stem and leaf cuttings and those produced by air layering. Adventitious aerial roots of many tropical trees are common.

For example, Ficus produces free-hanging aerial roots that originate in the branches and undergo secondary thickening before they reach the soil.