Question

Is it possible to consider vegetative propagation observed in certain plants like Bryophyllum, water hyacinth, ginger etc., as a type of asexual reproduction? Give two/ three reasons.

Answer 1

Introduction to vegetative reproduction:

It is a type of asexual reproduction taking place in plants in which a progeny plant is formed from a vegetative structure, commonly referred to as vegetative propagule. Examples of vegetative propagules include runner, sucker, rhizome, tuber, bulb, offset etc.

Propagation in Bryophyllum, water hyacinth, ginger:

● In Bryophyllum the buds are produced at the margins of the leaves. These adventitious buds form new plantlets that detach from the parent plant to give rise to offspring.

● Water hyacinth displays vegetative propagation by offsets which are horizontal stems, the tip of which develops new plants.

● Ginger has rhizome which is capable of producing new plants.



Vegetative propagation:

In plants like Bryophyllum, water hyacinth, ginger etc., vegetative propagation can be considered as asexual becuase of the following reasons:-

● Only one parent is involved.

● It doesn't involve meiosis and fusion of gametes.

● The offspring are genetically similar to the parents.