Differences between Top Root and Adventurous or Fibrous Root
Tap Roots Develop from the radicle only. But Adventitious Roots Develop from any part of the body.
| Tap Roots | Adventitious Roots | |
| 1 | Develop from the radicle only. | Develop from any part of the body. |
| 2 | Continue to grow producing lateral roots in acropetalous succession. | Radicle is replaced by a turft of fibrous roots at the base. No main root and hence no lateral roots are produced. |
| 3 | A single main root present in a plant. | Many roots may develop from nodes and leaves. |
| 4 | These are deep feeders and therefore move deep inside the soil. | These are surface feeders and therefore spread in the surface of the soil or just below the soil surface. |
| 5 | The primary root persist throughout life. Examples . mango, pine, Eucalyptus etc. | Primary root is replaced early in life. Examples – rice, grass, bamboo, sweet potato (roots develop from nodes), Bryophyllum (leaf roots). |