Just because roots cannot be seen does not mean they should be neglected. If planted in rows, the roots of cultivated crops usually overlap. The greatest number of plant roots are in the top foot of soil, with major feeder roots occurring in the top 6 inches. The amount and location of roots may be influenced by soil characteristics. Their function is to absorb nutrients and water.
Roots can have an amazingly large number of root hairs.
Root hairs increase the surface area of the roots, increasing the capacity to absorb nutrients and water. For example, a rye plant can have more than 14 billion root hairs that make up a surface area about as large as a football field. Root hairs are often destroyed when a plant is dug from the soil. Careful transplanting reduces root hair damage. The stem is the main trunk of a plant.