Root Hair in Plants Overview & Anatomy

Root Hair Formation

Root hairs are produced in the zone of maturation of growing plant roots (region 1 of the above figure) . The zone of maturation follows the zone of elongation (region 2) and the zone of cell division (region 1) in the root as it grows into the soil or the plant environment.

Root systems of plants are part of the plant's two main organ systems: the shoot system and the root system. Of course, the shoot system grows above ground. It provides terrestrial plants with the ability to capture the sun's energy, transport food to other parts of the plant, carry out reproduction, and establish the plant in its above-ground ecosystem. Root systems, on the other hand, play several vital roles also.

The roles of the root system of plants include:

• Anchoring the plant in the ground.
• Withdrawing water from the soil.
• Withdrawing nutrients from the soil
• Interacting with microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi in the soil

Depending on the species or type of plant, plants may have taproots, fibrous roots, or even adventitious roots. Taproots are often found in Dicot plants, while fibrous roots are found in Monocot plants. Taproots have a single or main root that extends downward through the soil with several lateral roots emerging from the main central root, as shown in the image below. Fibrous roots have many root initials that begin from the base of the above-ground parts of the plant. Adventitious roots usually play a role in supporting the plant and often emerge from above-ground portions of the plant.

Adventitious roots, usually used for plant support, are shown here emerging from the stalk of a corn plant (left panel). Fibrous roots are often found in Monocot roots such as grasses (middle panel). Taproot systems are often found in Dicot plants like the bean plant and carrot plant shown here. (right panel).

Examples of Plants with Taproots

• turnip
• radish
• mustard
• carrot

Examples of Plants with Fibrous Roots

• rice
• wheat
• corn
• rosemary

Root hairs are often found near the growing point ends of expanding plant roots and play an important function in plant development and biology.