Question

Write a short note on vegetative propagation.

Answer 1

Vegetative propagation:

1. Vegetative propagation is an asexual mode of reproduction seen in plants.
2. As it is an asexual mode of plant reproduction, no gamete formation occurs here.
3. Non-reproductive(vegetative) plant parts are responsible for giving rise(propagation) to new plants.
4. The vegetative part chosen from the parent plant for propagation is known as the vegetative propagule.

The advantages of vegetative propagation are as follows:

1. It is a faster mode of plant reproduction.
2. So, in a short period of time the gardeners can grow more number of plants.
3. As it is an asexual mode of reproduction, only one parent is involved.
4. So, good characters of the parent plant gets passed on to the new plants and thus gets preserved.

The disadvantages of vegetative propagation are as follows:

1. As all the new plants are genetically identical to the parent plant, the chances of all of them getting simultaneously affected by a disease is very high.
2. The new plants do not get dispersed and grow very close to each other so this results in a competition between them for nutrients.
3. This can lead to the improper development or death of few new plants.
4. As only one parent is involved, any poor qualities of the parent plant will be inherited by the new plants.
5. There is no chance of variation.

Vegetative propagation can be of two types:

1. Natural vegetative propagation:

• Here the non-reproductive parts of the plants like roots, leaves etc. can naturally give rise to new plants.
• Example: Bryophyllum, Potato.

2. Artificial vegetative propagation:

• Here the non-reproductive parts of the plant like branches, stems etc. give rise to new plants artificially (by human intervention) by different techniques such as layering, cutting etc.
• Example: lemon, rose, jasmine.