Root Development

As the seed continuous to develop and growing upwards, development also occurs below the ground. Roots need to be formed so nutrients can be absorbed.

The radicle that originally emerged from the seed becomes a taproot. A taproot is a type of root system that has a main root from which lateral roots being to form and develop.

Figure 1 shows the development of the cotton plant over a period of time. As it can be observed there is a main root in the middle from which many smaller roots develop from. Roots keep growing depending on the nutrient and water availability. If nutrients are abundant roots will not grow intensively. On the contrary, if nutrient and water availability is low, roots will grow bigger and deeper.