-roots among species differ in growth pattern and they also always adapt to local soil conditions

-plants pursue different strategies for water and nutrient intake, which makes coexistence of many species easier and helps to maintain diversity

two important basic types of root systems

-allorhizy (typical for dicots and gymnosperms): the seeding root remains the primary (main) root and forms side roots

-homorhizy (typical for monocots): seedling root dies, is replaced by adventitious roots from the lower stem, that are similar thin