Vegetative Propagation: Definition, Types & More

Roots are not the only source of growth for plants. Reproduction in plants can happen from leaves, stems, and even other plant parts. Wondering how this happens? You have come to the right place.

Vegetative reproduction is the asexual reproduction of plants via the stems, leaves, and other parts. It can occur via fragmentation and subsequent regeneration of several parts of the plant. Let us give you the complete details of all the types of vegetative propagation along with their corresponding examples. Keep reading this article to know more.

Plants reproduce both sexually and asexually. Sexual reproduction takes place via seeds through the process of fertilisation. Vegetative propagation is the asexual mode of reproduction where roots, stems, leaves, and buds grow from the vegetative sections of the plant.

Types of Vegetative Propagation

Vegetative propagation, in simpler terms, means the reproduction of plants via the asexual mode. It helps plants to bring more variations in their offspring when compared to seed reproduction. Asexual reproduction by vegetative propagation takes place either naturally or artificially. Let us read about the types vegetative propagation in greater detail.

• Natural Vegetative Propagation

The process occurs when plants develop naturally without any sort of human intrusion. Natural vegetative propagation happens by the development of certain types of adventitious roots. Therefore, all the new plants may start emerging from the roots, stems, and leaves of the parent plant. Vegetative propagation can occur through rhizomes, bulbs, runners, tubers.

Stem: Runners will grow and develop horizontally above the ground surface. The formation of buds takes place at the nodes of these runners. Example: Cyanodon and Mint.

Roots: New plants emerge out of swollen, and modified roots known as tubers. The formation of buds takes place at the base of the stem. Example: Sweet Potato and Dahlia.

Leaves: The leaves from the parent plant get detached and fall down on the soil/ground, from which the new plant evolves. Example: Begonia and Bryophyllum.

Bulbs: Attachment of leaves is done to the underground stems known as bulbs. Bulbs can store food for the plant. Shoots start developing from lateral buds whereas apical buds produce leaves and flowers. Example: Tulips, Daffodils, Lilies, and Onions.

• Artificial Vegetative Propagation

The process by which plants develop with human intervention is called artificial vegetative propagation. It takes place artificially in the laboratory. Common processes involve cutting, layering, and grafting, whereas on a more complex level, in-vitro fertilisation, tissue culturing, and artificial insemination are some of the other processes. Let us get quick idea about these concepts in the following sections:

Cutting: Insertion of a portion of a plant, such as a stem or a leaf, is cut in the soil in this process. Hormones are sometimes used to encourage root growth in these cuttings. The adventitious roots that sprout from the cutting produce the new plant.

Grafting: Attaching one plant part (bud or scion) into or on a stem, root, or branch of another (stock) so that a union will be formed and the partners will continue to grow is known as grafting.

Layering: In this process, one of the stems is bent to the ground so that the soil covers the surface of the plant. The emergence of adventitious roots takes place from this point of contact with the soil. It gradually keeps growing and forms a layer.

Tissue Culture: Tissue culture is the process of developing plant cells and tissues in an artificial nutrient medium after separating them from the parent plants. The method is also known as micropropagation where aseptic conditions of temperature and light are also given alongside.

Importance of Vegetative Propagation

Following are some of the points which students must know when it comes to the importance of vegetative propagation in plants:

• Plants produced via vegetative propagation are genetically similar and constitute some of the uniform populations named clones.
• Matching of certain different characteristics and varieties can be done which is helpful in this micropropagation process. It brings in variations.
• Vegetative propagation is a much more efficient process when compared with other methods.
• Preservation of all the good characteristics can be done in the plant when vegetative propagation is appropriately followed.
• Grafting is an effective process since it brings the characteristics of two plants within a short period.
• Micropropagation aids in plant growth, control, and maintenance of many plants in a small space. It is used in germplasm storage of plants and in the protection of certain endangered species.

Now that you have got a complete idea of vegetative propagation and its types, here are some short questions on the mentioned topic which you can solve on your own:

• How do the plants like sugarcane, potato and rose reproduce when they cannot produce seeds?
• Place a piece of bread in a moist and warm place for few days. Observe it after few days. What will you see?
  (a) Name the organism that grows on the bread piece?
  (b) What are the thread-like projections called?
  (c) What is the knob like structure present on the top of thin stem called?
  (d) Which type of reproduction does this organism show?
  (e) From where does the spores comes to the bread piece?

• Observe the figure given below and on the basis your observations answer the following questions.
  (a) Which type of vegetative propagation has been shown in this figure?
  (b) Name two plants where this method of vegetative reproduction takes place.
  (c) Is this a sexual or asexual mode of reproduction?
  (d) Label the part (A) and (B) in the given figure.

• Tia went to a plant nursery with her mother. The gardner approached them and asked about their choice of plant. Tia’s mother wanted a flowering plant with fragrance. Gardner showed them a plant and told them that this variety has been prepared by a method of vegetative propagation of stems. Tia grew curious and asked some questions to gardner.
  (a) What is vegetative propagation?
  (b) What are methods of producing new plants using stem?
  (c) Name any two plants where this method of reproduction is used. Is this an asexual or sexual method?
  (d) What values do you observe in Tia?

We hope that this comprehensive article on ‘Vegetative Propagation’ has been assistive and provided you with insights into the asexual plant reproduction knowledge.

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