Question

Vegetative propagation produces plants that are genetically similar to the parent plant.
A. True
B. False

Answer 1

Hint: Reproduction of living organisms takes place to ensure the survival of the species. In higher animals reproduction takes place sexually. However, in plants and lower animals, reproduction can take place via asexual modes, that is, without the formation of gametes. Asexual modes of reproduction do not include recombination of genes.

Complete answer:
Vegetative propagation is a mode of asexual reproduction. It takes place in the vegetative parts of the plant body like, roots, stem and leaves. Vegetative propagation takes place without genetic recombination that occurs in sexual reproduction through the process of fertilization.
Often, in vegetative propagation, the vegetative parts of the plant clone themselves. This indicates that the tissues where vegetative propagation takes place are capable of regeneration of lost parts and repair of injured tissues. The tissues at these locations are meristematic in nature. The daughter individuals are genetic clones of the parents. This is because the plants arise from a single parent and there is no place for genetic diversity in offspring. Hence, we can conclude that vegetative propagation leads to the formation of daughter plants that are genetically identical to the parent.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Additional information:
Vegetative propagation is an asexual method of reproduction. It can occur naturally or by artificial methods. Natural means of vegetative propagation can be seen in Bryophyllum, where the leaves, if kept in damp soil, will produce little buds in the leaf margins. These buds have the ability to grow into fully functional plants. Artificial means of vegetative propagation is undertaken by plant breeders to enhance the quality of plants or accelerate the process of reproduction. Artificial vegetative reproduction methods include layering and grafting. In Spite of the advantages of this process, vegetative reproduction does not always lead to viable progeny. This is because the plants produced by this method lack genetic diversity that can result in reduced crop yields.

Note: Vegetative propagation is a method of asexual reproduction. It takes place from roots, stems and leaves. The meristematic tissues at these locations continuously divide and differentiate to give rise to new plants. Vegetative propagation can occur naturally or artificially.