Mangrove trees growing in the salty, marshy soil along the coastal belt of Maharashtra have special roots…

Mangrove trees growing in the salty, marshy soil along the coastal belt of Maharashtra have special roots growing vertically upward out of the soil. What are these roots called and what is their main function?
  1. Tap roots for deep soil anchorage
  2. Breathing roots (pneumatophores) for taking in atmospheric oxygen
  3. Prop roots for supporting heavy side branches
  4. Fibrous roots for storing excess food

Solution

In marshy waterlogged soils, oxygen availability is low; mangroves develop breathing roots (pneumatophores) that grow upward to take in air.

Asked in: Homi Bhabha Practice

Practice more The Living World questions on Aicharya