Modified Adventitious Root - Sweet Potato

Sweet potato is a popular root vegetable that is native to South America. It is a modified adventitious root that is often confused with a tuber. Adventitious roots are roots that develop from any part of the plant other than the radicle or root meristem. In the case of sweet potato, these roots develop from the stem and are modified to store food.

Structure of Sweet Potato

The sweet potato plant has a vine-like stem that grows along the ground. From this stem, adventitious roots grow, which are thick and fleshy. These roots are modified to store starch and other nutrients. They are long and cylindrical, with a tapered end. The skin is reddish-brown, and the flesh is orange or yellow.

Function of Sweet Potato

The adventitious roots of sweet potato are modified to store food. They contain large amounts of starch and other nutrients, which make sweet potatoes a popular food source. The presence of these modified roots also makes sweet potatoes an important crop for farmers. They are easy to cultivate and have a long shelf life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sweet potato is a modified adventitious root that is an important food crop. The roots are modified to store food and are easy to cultivate. They are long, cylindrical, and tapered with reddish-brown skin and orange or yellow flesh.