Question

When a cut portion of plant forms a full adult plant, it is called as
A. Cutting
B. Layering
C. Grafting
D. Stock

Answer 1

Hint: Basically, a plant undergoes either sexual reproduction or asexual reproduction. In sexual reproduction, there will be fusion of gametes that give rise to new offspring that are genetically different from the parent plants. Asexual reproduction does not involve the fusion of gamets, the offsprings produced are identical to the parent pant. Asexual reproduction occurs through fragmentation, binary fusion, budding, regeneration, spore formation and vegtative reproduction.

Complete Answer:
Vegetative reproduction is a type of asexual reproduction in which a new offspring grows from the fragment of a parent plant or the specialized reproductive part of the plant. Usually it is a natural process but it can also be done artificially. Vgetative reproduction can be natural or artificial.
Natural vegetative reproduction involves the modification of roots and stem and leaves is a rare case in some species. Eg: adventitious roots, bulbs etc. Artificial reproduction involves human activity. Cutting, grafting, layering, stock are the types of artificial vegetative reproduction.

- Cutting: in this method, a part of a stem or leaf is cut and planted into soil which generates into a new plant. This is the most commonly used artificial method.
- Grafting: in this method a part from a plant is attached to the stem of the rooted plant. Over time, the tissues of the part of a plant and tissues of rooted plants will be grafted.
- Layering: in this method,the stem of a plant is bent to the ground and is buried so that the adventitious roots develop from the part of a plant that is covered with the soil. This attached stem with newly developed adventitious roots is called layer.
- Stock: the stock plants are the source of graft materials, bulbs, cutting, seeds etc and are commonly called as mother plants. All vgetative materials developed from a stock are identical to mother plants and are called clones.

Therefore the correct answer is (a) Cutting.

Note: The major disadvantage of artificial vegetative reproduction is that the diversities cannot be found in the genetics of the plant which results in less yield. Since the plants are genetically identical, they are more vulnerable to pathogenic plant virus, fungi, bacteria that destroys the entire yield.