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Originally Posted by Brent
Plant roots tips don't 'divide' when they hit sharp particles, even razor blades, they go around. They branch just like the top does by 'budding' behind the tip. Root tips CANNOT divide, it's now how roots grow.
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It is true that roots cannot "divide" in the truest since of the word, I guess a better choice of mathematical reference would be to multiply. The choice of wording was poor as in describing a trunk that has divided into two, not quite accurate.
Roots do continue to amaze me...
In "The Growing Tree" by Brayton F. Wilson (The University of Massachusetts Press) He says that, "The small-diameter, fine root tips gradually enlarge over several years to become large-diameter tips. Once these large tips have formed their multiplication can occur in several ways. In systems with two distinct sizes of roots (eg., red maple), large root tips normally produce only lateral roots with small tips. When a large tip is injured, however, it forms replacement lateral tips that are large in diameter. Usually several replacement tips are formed and the woody root forks where it was injured. Large lateral frequently develop when a large tip runs into a rock in the soil and is forced to grow very slowly as it bends around the rock. The large lateral usually develops so that it is going in the opposite direction from the parent tip. In some species, large lateral tips may also develop when the growth of the parent tip is slowed by low soil temperatures. The common factor seems to be that if the apical meristem is active, laterals with small tips develop, but if the apical meristem is inactive or destroyed, laterals with tips as large as the parent tip are then formed.
I made a bad drawing of his illustration, please excuse the attempt.
Will
6-Jun-2005
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