Question

Explain the following:

(a) cutting
(b) layering
(c) grafting

Answer 1

(a) Cutting: It is an artificial method of vegetative propagation in which a healthy young branch of a plant with leaf buds is cut off and planted in moist soil. The cutting develops roots and grows into a new plant. This method is used to propagate plants such as rose, sugarcane and bougainvillaea.

(b) Layering: It is an artificial method of vegetative propagation in which a young branch is bent towards the ground and covered with moist soil. After some time, roots develop from the covered part. This is called a layer. The branch can now be cut and made to grow into a new plant. This method is used to propagate plants such as rose, jasmine and bougainvillaea.

(c) Grafting: It is an artificial method of vegetative propagation. It consists of keeping a twig or bud of one plant (called the scion) over the cut stem of another plant (called the stock) and tying them up together. The tissues of the stock and scion join together to form one plant. This method is used to develop new varieties of fruit plants such as mango.