Question

Some crops can be grown from seeds as well as vegetatively from the stem cuttings. List any four advantages of vegetative propagation?

Answer 1

Hint: When parts of plants are used for the process of production of new plants, this method of reproduction is known as vegetative propagation. As it is a form of asexual reproduction, it does not involvew two parents.

Complete Answer:
The asexual method of reproduction where new plants are formed from the vegetative parts of the plantis is known as the vegetative propagation. In this method, plant reproduction can occur through leaves, roots, and stem. It can be of two types:
1. Natural method of vegetative propagation
2. Artificial method of vegetative propagation

Advantages of vegetative propagation:
As it is a type of vegetative propagation method, the offspring produced are genetically similar to the parents. The genetic information is preserved.
Cloning can be done commercially to ensure that the crops remain compatible.
It is a time saving method.
This method can be utilised for various scientific studies and experimentations.
Large numbers of progeny can be produced in a short period of time.

Additional information:
There are two types of vegetative propagation:
1. Natural method- This method occurs on its own without any human interference. Various parts of the plants can be utilised for this method such as roots, stem and leaves. Leaves in plants such as Bryophyllum get detached to form a new plant. The roots of plants get swollen to form modified roots known as tubers. Buds are formed in the nodes of stem of runners from where new plants arise.

2. Artificial methods- This method of vegetative propagation is carried out with the involvement of humans in various fields and laboratories. Some types of artificial methods are:
(I) Cutting- In this method, a part of the plant mainly a stem or leaf is cut and then planted in the soil. These cuttings over a period of time develop into roots and form a new plant.
(II) Grafting- In this method, the stem cuttings of a plant are joined with the root part of another plant to obtain the features of both the plants together.
(III) Layering is a method in which the stem of a plant is turned and buried under the soil. Eventually leads to the formation of roots in that area.

Note: Vegetative propagation is a type of asexual method of reproduction which involves production of new plants using plant parts. It is a time saving process and produces many progeny in a short period of time.