Root growth primarily depends on energy produced by the plant's leaves through photosynthesis.
The Role of Photosynthesis
Actively photosynthesizing leaves control root growth. Here’s how:
- Energy Production: Leaves use sunlight to create energy (sugars) through photosynthesis.
- Energy Distribution: When a plant produces more energy than its top growth requires, the excess is sent to the roots.
- Energy Priority: If energy is limited, the plant prioritizes tissues closest to the site of photosynthesis (the leaves). Therefore, root growth occurs when there's surplus energy.
In essence, roots grow when the plant is efficiently producing energy via photosynthesis and has energy left over after meeting the needs of the above-ground parts of the plant.
