Question

Which one of the following is not a natural method of vegetative propagation
a. Runner
b. Foliar buds
c. Stem tuber
d. Grafting

Answer 1

Hint: Vegetative propagation is the asexual type of reproduction that occurs in plants where the plants are produced even from vegetative parts of the parent plants, this method naturally occurs, however sometimes, it is artificially induced.

Complete answer:
> Runner:
- A runner is nothing but a stem portion of the plant.
- Runners usually tend to grow horizontally as opposed to upright like the main stem. It tries to look like the main stem.
- Generally, the end tip of the runner can produce buds.
- The buds which produce develop into new plants and they are called clones.
- Adventitious roots are also produced from the buds found on the runner.
- An offset also produces a short thick runner like a branch which in turn produces a new plant at its tip.
- The offsets grow in all directions from the main stem of the parent plant.

> Foliar bud:
- Foliar buds are nothing but buds that are produced in the area, other than nodes.
- Mostly these foliar buds are produced on leaves.
- One example for the foliar buds is that, begin.

> Stem tuber:
- Tubers are underground modifications, which produce on the stem.
- These tubers usually store starch.
- They produce buds on the surface of the tuber, and these buds in turn produce new plants.
- Buds that are produced are of a meristematic nature, and these buds are also called the eye. Examples are potatoes.

> Grafting:
- Grafting is not the natural method of vegetative propagation.
- It is a method that is done in horticulture to produce different varieties of plants.
- This is the artificial method.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: In grafting, some plants are done for these roots, which are called as stock, while some others are done for its fruits, leaves, stems, etc. They are called scion, the union of stock and scion are called grafting and it is the artificial method.