How many primary roots are in a taproot system?

In a taproot system, there is typically one primary root that grows deep into the soil. This primary root is responsible for anchoring the plant firmly and accessing water and nutrients from deeper soil layers. The taproot can produce smaller lateral roots, but the defining characteristic is that there is a singular, dominant root structure that is significantly thicker and extends deeper than the others.

This structure is especially advantageous for certain plants, allowing them to survive in arid conditions where they can reach water sources that shallower root systems cannot access. Plants with a taproot system include species such as carrots, dandelions, and many trees. The presence of just one primary root distinguished a taproot from fibrous root systems, which have several thin roots spreading out from the base of the stem.