025 RESPONSE OF PLANT ROOTS TO MOISTURE

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025 RESPONSE OF PLANT ROOTS TO MOISTURE
The normal response of the root and stem to the
effect of gravity are always observed. However,
the presence of water can cause an effect
opposite to that caused by gravity, by roots
growing upwards. The potential of plant roots to
defy gravity and grow towards moisture can be
demonstrated by this experiment
MATERIALS REQUIRED
Cotton or soil
A tray of water Mesh Cotton or soil Seedlings
(about 4 to 6 cm height)
Mesh
Tray of water
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Place a tray of water and keep a mesh above it.
grow some seedlings on some cotton or soil kept
above the mesh. Keep the mesh slightly above
water. Though the cotton or soil is watered, the
roots pass through the cotton or soil and move
through the mesh towards the water in the tray.
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Now, drain the water from the tray, and the only
moisture made available to the plant is the
wetted soil or cotton above. The roots tend to
bend themselves and move towards the wet soil or
cotton, which is above them.