Vegetative Propagation - Class 12 PDF Download

Vegetative Propagation

Vegetative propagation is probably something very peculiar to plants. The very same feature is also exploited for the commercial value and by avid gardeners who know their plants well. You don’t always need seeds to grow plants. New plants can grow from older plants, through the method of vegetative propagation such as grafting and budding. It is a form of asexual reproduction seen in plants. Here only a single plant is involved and the offspring that arises is identical, both genetically and morphologically to the parent plant.

Vegetative propagation occurs through vegetative plant structures. In non-vascular plants, the vegetative reproductive structures are gemmae and spores whereas, in vascular plants, the roots, stems, leaves, and nodes are the structures that are involved in the propagation. You have learned about the meristem tissue in plants. The same tissue helps in the vegetative propagation. This tissue has undifferentiated cells which divide paving way for the growth of the plant. From the meristems, specialized permanent tissues are formed.

Types of Vegetative Propagation

Vegetative Propagation by Roots

In this process, new plants grow out of the modified roots called tubers. Some plant roots also develop adventitious buds.  These buds grow and form new plants/sprouts under the right conditions.  These sprouts can be separated from the parent plant and when planted in other areas, new plants are formed. Example – Sweet potato, Dahlia etc.

Vegetative Propagation by Stems

Vegetative propagation occurs through stems when new plants arise from the nodes. This is where buds are formed, which grow into new plants. Stems that grow horizontally on the ground are called runners. As these runners grow, buds are formed at the nodes, which later develop the roots and shoots, resulting in the formation of a new plant. Example – Cyanodon; Mint etc.

The round, swollen part of the underground stem is called a bulb. Within the bulb lies the organ for vegetative propagation such as the central shoot that grows into a new plant. Bulbs have a bud surrounded by layers of fleshy leaves. A few examples include Onions, Garlic, and Tulips etc.

In plants like potatoes, stem tubers are found.  This part is the swollen apical part containing many nodes or eyes.  Every eye has buds. New plants originate from these buds.

Vegetative Propagation by Leaf

Plants like Bryophyllum, Begonia etc., have adventitious buds coming out from the notches of the leaves. These buds develop into new plants.

Cutting

It is the most common method employed by gardeners to grow new plants. A portion of the stem is cut and planted in the soil, which develops roots and further grows into a new plant.

Grafting

In grafting, two closely related plants are used to produce a new plant that has the desired, combined traits of both the parent plants. One plant is the stock, where the root system is taken and the other is the Scion, where the shoot system is used.  The scion is attached to the stock of the second plant in this method of artificial vegetative propagation. Grafting is used in a variety of plants like roses, apples, avocado etc.

Budding

In this method, a bud with a small portion of bark is taken from the desired plant. This is inserted into a small slit that is made in the bark of the other plant. Both the plants are tied together and the buds are not allowed to dry.