TUBEROUS ROOT: CHARACTERISTICS, PROPAGATION AND EXAMPLES - BIOLOGY - 2025

A tuberous or storage root is a specialized root that fulfills the function of storing fibers and nutritional reserves. These structures are formed under the soil surface from the base or crown of the plant where the stem emerges.

The term tuberous comes from the Latin tuberosum, which means "full of bumps." In fact, it is called a root tuber since, unlike tubers, the organ that performs reserve functions is not the stem but the root.

Tuberous root of parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) Source: pixabay.com

On the other hand, these differ from tubers in that the buds originate only in the crown, at the point of insertion of the stem. In contrast, at the opposite end fibrous roots regularly develop.

Some perennial herbaceous species - such as parsnip, dahlia, cassava, beet or carrot - develop tuberous roots in which they accumulate nutritional reserves. Despite the morphological differences between species, the root has the typical internal and external properties of a root.

In fact, tuberous roots are true roots that increase in thickness laterally due to the accumulation of nutrients. Likewise, each storage root grows together from a central point forming a cluster.

characteristics

- The tuberous or storage root is a thick and widened modified root that develops shoots and roots at each end.

- Nutrients are stored in the root below the ground, since the stem grows from the roots at the surface level.

- The secondary roots that develop from the tuberous root facilitate the transport of water and nutrients.

- This type of root occurs in various species of perennial plants of the herbaceous type.

- The tuberous roots are generally perennial and survive long underground.

- Due to the fact that they are formed by an effective root tissue, the plant can survive in case the aerial part is destroyed.

- To reproduce the tuberous roots requires the presence of a growth bud or bud that will give rise to a new plant.

- These annual or biannual plants show continuous growth, increase in size and form additional shoots at the height of the crown.

- Tuberous plants include plants such as lilies, sweet potatoes, begonias, dahlias, beets, cassava, buttercups, and carrots, among others.

Spread

The propagation of the tuberous roots is carried out through the division of the crown in actively growing plants. Each crown to be propagated should contain several buds and a storage root that provides nutrients to the new plant.

In the case of using tuberous roots that do not show active growth, the formation of adventitious shoots should be promoted. For example, the fleshy roots of the species Ipomoea batata have the ability to generate adventitious roots under suitable conditions of humidity and temperature.

Using sand as a means of propagation, the roots are placed 5 cm deep with sufficient humidity and little direct light. Once the first shoots have developed, they are covered again with sand until they form a layer of between 8 and 10 cm.

Roots generated from shoots

Multiple adventitious roots develop from the adventitious shoots. Once the effective development of the adventitious roots has been determined, the shoots are removed from the mother plant and transplanted in the field.

In ornamental tuberoses such as dahlia (Dahlia spp.), The propagation is carried out by conditioning the roots extracted directly from the plant. The roots are stored in sawdust or peat in a dry and airy place for between 10 and 15 days.

For the next sowing season, in early spring, the roots are divided equally. Under optimal conditions of substrate, humidity and temperature, the buds sprout with greater vigor and the division of these sections will give rise to a new plant.

For example, tuberous begonias (Begonia tuberhybrida) have a taproot that becomes a tuberous root. These fleshy roots can be divided and planted directly as long as they contain a vegetative bud.

Examples

Radish (

It is an annual or biannual herbaceous plant belonging to the Brassicaceae family. When consumed directly, it offers a fresh, spicy and somewhat bitter taste. It has an edible root of an axonomorphic and fleshy shape with a high content of minerals and vitamins; it also has digestive and diuretic properties.

Radish (Raphanus sativus) Source: pixabay.com

Dahlia (

In a genus of ornamental plants belonging to the Asteraceae family and characterized by thick roots, from which thallus with serrated leaves emerge.

The flowers of various colors are grown for gardening, as well as for the benefits they provide against diabetes and obesity.

Beet (

It is an annual, bushy and branched herbaceous plant, belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. It is characterized by its round or elongated edible tuberous roots, robust and fleshy, with bright reddish or purple colors.

It is rich in anthocyanins, pigments that provide it with its characteristic color and an antioxidant effect.

It also contains carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as a high content of water, carbohydrates and fiber, potassium, iron and vitamins of group B.

The sweet variety (Beta vulgaris var. Saccharífera) is of high industrial value due to its sucrose content, which is between 15 and 20%.

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) Source: pixabay.com

Sweet potato (

It is a vegetable known as sweet potato, sweet potato or sweet potato, belonging to the Convolvulaceae family. It is a climbing species with serrated and fasciculate leaves, long and thin herbaceous stems, and edible tuberous roots.

The sweet potato is a vegetable widely used as a very effective food in the fight against malnutrition, mainly due to the high content of pro-vitamin A, vitamin B1 and vitamin E.

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) Source: pixabay.com

Yucca or cassava (

It is a perennial shrub adapted to intertropical conditions and belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. It can measure 2 meters in height and has tuberous roots of high nutritional value, especially due to its starch content.

The cultivation of cassava allows its total use: the stems are used for vegetative propagation and the leaves to obtain flour. In addition, the tuberous roots are used for direct consumption, in agribusiness or for export.

Yucca (Manihot esculenta) Source: pixabay.com

Carrot (

It is a special biennial belonging to the Apiaceae family. The plant is characterized by rosette-shaped leaves, 10-cm tall stems, and yellow, orange, or purple tuberous roots.

The roots store carbohydrates, beta-carotene, pro-vitamin A, vitamin E, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iodine. This vegetable is consumed fresh, cooked, fried or steamed, and is widely used in the agro-industry.

Carrot (Daucus carota) Source: pixabay.com

References

1. Bonete, M., Urquizo, C., Guevara, R., & Yánez, P. (2016). Study of four non-traditional tubers and tuberous roots from the central highlands of Ecuador and their potential for use in signature dishes. Qualitas, 12, 37-67.
2. Tuberous root (2018) EcoBotanico. Recovered at: ecobotanico.com
3. Tuberous roots (2016) EcuRed. Recovered in: ecured.cu
4. Tanner Sydney J. (2010) Greenspace: Learn differences between tuberous roots, bulbs, corms. Recovered at: chippewa.com
5. Tuberous root (2018) Sunset Publishing Corporation. Recovered at: sunset.com