Gravitropism

Gravitropism is the growth response to gravity, also known as geotropism.

Tropism is a growth response in all or part of a plant due to an external stimulus. Gravitropism in particular is the response to gravity (gravi-) or (geo-) and may be further divided into negative or positive gravitropism.

Roots are greatly affected by gravitropism, and fungi is also known to be affected by this factor.

Negative gravitropism will cause the roots to grow in the opposite direction of gravity (up) while positive gravitropism will cause the roots to grow in the same direction as gravity (down.)

Positive gravitropism, for example, is beneficial in helping plant roots reach further into the soil so that the plant can seek out more nutrients and anchor the plant into the ground.