Difference between Radicle and Plumule

Features

Radicle

Plumule

Location

Found within the seed, at the tip of Hypocotyl

Found in the seedling, at the tip of Epicotyl

Development

Serves as the embryonic root and develops in the root system of the plant

Acts as the embryonic shoot develops into stem, leaves, and aerial parts of the plant

Timing of emergence It is the first structure to develop when the seed germinates It develops after the radicle
Function The function of the radicle is to anchor the plant into the ground and absorb water and nutrients from the soil The function of the plumule is to perform photosynthesis, as the leaves produced by the plumule capture sunlight and convert it into energy.
Direction of growth Downwards Upwards

Colour

More whitish in colour

Less whitish in colour

Phototropism

Negative phototropism

Positive phototropism

Hydrotropism

Positive hydrotropism

Negative hydrotropism

Geotropism

Positive geotropism

Negative geotropism

Surrounding Structure

Coleorhiza

Coleoptile

Difference Between Radicle and Plumule

The Radicle and Plumule are two components of a plant’s embryo that play important roles in the growth and development of a plant. The major difference between these two is that Radicle develops into the root while Plumule develops into the shoot. The radicle serves as the embryonic root and is responsible for anchoring the plant and absorbing water and nutrients from the soil, while the plumule acts as the embryonic shoot, giving rise to the stem, leaves, and aerial parts of the plant which help in photosynthesis. Understanding the differences between radicle and plumule helps us to understand the complex processes involved in the earlier stages of plant development.

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Difference between Radicle and Plumule

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What is Radicle?

The radicle is an essential part of the plant embryo found within the seed. It is located at the tip of Hypocotyl and serves as the embryonic root. Once the seed germinates, the radicle is the first structure to emerge from it. Its primary function is to anchor the plant into the ground and absorb water and nutrients from the soil. As the radicle grows downward, it develops into the primary root, which branches out to form the entire root system of the plant. The radicle plays an important role in providing stability to the plant and facilitating its nutrient uptake. It is more whitish in colour than plumule. Radicles show negative phototropism, positive hydrotropism, and positive geotropism. Coleorhiza is an undifferentiated sheath that surrounds radicles....

What is Plumule?

The plumule is found in the seedling rather than the seed. It is located at the tip of epicotyl and acts as the embryonic shoot. As the seed germinates and the shoot emerges, the plumule begins its upward growth towards the surface. The plumule develops into the stem, leaves, and the entire aerial part of the plant which is known as the shoot. It plays an important role in photosynthesis, as the leaves produced by the plumule capture sunlight and convert it into energy. Also, the plumule is responsible for the overall growth and development of the plant above the ground. It is less whitish in colour. Plumules show positive phototropism, negative hydrotropism, and negative geotropism. Coleoptile is the hollow foliar structure that surrounds the plumule....

FAQs on Radicle and Plumule

Q: What is the main difference between radicle and plumule?...