Dicot Root vs. Monocot Root

Main Difference

The main difference between Dicot Root and Monocot Root is that in dicot root phloem surrounds the xylem tissues that are present in the center of the plant whereas in monocot root xylem and phloem forms circular arrangement.

Dicot Root vs. Monocot Root — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Dicot Root and Monocot Root

Dicot Root vs. Monocot Root

The root of the plant that has two cotyledons in its seed is known as dicot root whereas, the root of the plant that has single cotyledon in its seed is known as monocot root.

Dicot Root vs. Monocot Root

Dicot root is narrow and has a tap root-like structure; on the other hand, monocot root is comparatively wider and has fibrous root-like structure.

Dicot Root vs. Monocot Root

Dicot root has a few numbers of Xylem and Phloem, i.e., 2 to 8. Conversely, monocot root has a large number of Xylem and Phloem, i.e., 8 to many.

Dicot Root vs. Monocot Root

In dicot roots, xylem is present in the center and is surrounded by phloem on the flip side, in monocot root, xylem and phloem are arranged in a ring.

Dicot Root vs. Monocot Root

Xylem vessels are angular or polygonal in dicot roots on the other side; xylem vessels are rounded or oval in monocot roots.

Dicot Root vs. Monocot Root

In dicot root, pericycle forms cork cambium, lateral roots and parts of the vascular cambium while, in monocot root, pericycle forms lateral roots only.

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Dicot Root vs. Monocot Root

Pith is absent in dicot root or very small and undeveloped. On the other hand, larger and well-developed pith is present in monocot roots.

Dicot Root vs. Monocot Root

In dicot roots, there are parenchymatous connective tissues, whereas monocot roots have sclerenchymatous connective tissues.

Dicot Root vs. Monocot Root

Cambium is present in dicot root and is formed by the Conjunctive parenchyma on the flip side, in monocot roots, cambium is absent.

Dicot Root vs. Monocot Root

Xylem is usually tetrarch in dicot roots while xylem is polyarch in monocot root.

Dicot Root vs. Monocot Root

Cortex is comparatively narrow in dicot roots; on the other hand, the cortex is very wide in monocot roots.

Dicot Root vs. Monocot Root

In dicot root, older roots are enclosed by cork whereas, in monocot root, older roots are covered by exodermis.

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Dicot Root vs. Monocot Root

Secondary growth takes place in dicot roots. Conversely, there is no secondary growth in monocot roots.

Dicot Root vs. Monocot Root

Pea, beans, and peanuts, etc. have dicot roots. On the other side, maize, banana, and palm, etc. are examples of monocot roots.

Comparison Chart

Dicot Root Monocot Root
The root of the plant that has two cotyledons in its seed is known as dicot root. The root of the plant that has single cotyledon in its seed is known as monocot root.
Structure
Dicot root is narrow and has a tap root-like structure. Monocot root is comparatively wider and has fibrous root-like structure.
Number of Vascular Tissues
Dicot root has fewer numbers of xylem and phloem, i.e., 2 to 8. Monocot root has a large number of xylem and phloem, i.e., 8 to many.
Arrangement of Vascular Tissues
In dicot roots, xylem is present in the center and is surrounded by phloem. In monocot root, xylem and phloem have a ring-like arrangement.
Shape of Xylem
Xylem vessels are angular or polygonal Xylem vessels are rounded or oval.
Pericycle
In dicot root, pericycle gives rise to cork cambium, lateral roots and parts of the vascular cambium. In monocot root, pericycle forms lateral roots only.
Pith
Pith is absent in dicot root or very small and undeveloped. Larger and well-developed pith is present in monocot roots.
Connective Tissues
In dicot roots, there are parenchymatous connective tissues. Monocot roots have sclerenchymatous connective tissues.
Cambium
Dicot root has cambium which is formed by the conjunctive parenchyma In monocot roots, cambium is absent.
Xylem
Xylem is usually tetrarch in dicot roots. Xylem is polyarch in monocot root.
Cortex
Cortex is narrow in dicot roots. Cortex is very wide in monocot roots.
Covering
In dicot root, older roots are covered by cork In monocot root, older roots are covered by exodermis
Secondary Growth
Secondary growth occurs in dicot roots. There is no secondary growth in monocot roots.
Examples
Beans, pea, and peanuts, etc. have dicot roots. Banana, maize, and palm, etc. are examples of monocot roots.

Dicot Root vs. Monocot Root

According to the total number of cotyledons in the seed, flowering plants are divided into two types, i.e., dicots and monocots. Dicots are the plants with two cotyledons in their seed whereas monocots have single cotyledon. These two types differ to each other in their structures like stem, leaves, flowers, and root, etc. The root is an underground portion of the plant. It plays a very important role in the transportation of water and minerals etc. from soil to all parts of the plant. Dicot plants have narrow and tap root-like structure. On the other side, the root of the monocot plants is wider and has a fibrous root-like structure. In dicot root, vascular tissues are few in number such that xylem is present in the center and is surrounded by phloem whereas; monocot root has a different arrangement of xylem and phloem. They are present in a circular arrangement and are numerous in numbers.

What is Dicot Root?

Dicot root has a tap root-like structure and is present in dicot plants. Dicot root has a continuous amount of xylem and phloem such that, xylem is in ‘X’ form and is surrounded by phloem. If we cut the root in transverse section, xylem vessels are angular or polygonal in shape. In dicot roots, there is the parenchymatous connective tissue that creates vascular cambium. Dicot root shows secondary growth. Pea, beans, and peanuts, etc. are examples of dicot roots.

What is Monocot Root?

Monocot root has fibrous root-like structure and is present in monocot plants. It has xylem and phloem in alternating manners arranged in a ring-like structure. Xylem vessels are a rounded or oval shape. It has sclerenchymatous connective tissues and cambium is absent in it. There is no secondary growth in monocot roots. Maize, banana, and palm, etc. are its examples.

Conclusion

Above discussion summarizes that Dicot root is a tap root-like structure with secondary growth and is present in dicot plants. On the other hand, monocot root has fibrous root-like structure without secondary growth and is present in dicot plants.