Vegetative Propagation in Plants

Study Notes

Vegetative Propagation

Plants can propagate through their vegetative parts, such as roots, leaves, and stem structures.
Propagation can occur naturally or artificially.

Natural Propagation

Occurs through specialized structures of a mature plant, such as roots, leaves, and stem structures.
Examples of natural propagation structures include:
- Rhizomes (e.g., Ginger)
- Corms (e.g., Colocasia)
- Bulbs (e.g., Onion)
- Tubers (e.g., Potato)
- Runners (e.g., Grasses)
- Stolons (e.g., Jasmine and Strawberry)
Root buds can give rise to new plants, e.g., in Guava, Millingtonia, and Murraya (Curry leaves).
Leaf buds can develop into new plants, e.g., in Bryophyllum.

Artificial Propagation

Cuttings: a piece of stem or branch with a bud is cut off from the parent plant and buried in moist soil, developing roots and growing into a new plant.
- Examples: Rose, Hibiscus
Layering: a weak lateral branch is bent towards the ground, covered with moist soil, and develops adventitious roots, then cut off from the parent plant and grown as a new plant.
- Examples: Nerium, Jasmine
Grafting: a technique where two plants with desirable characters are joined to continue their growth as a single plant.
- The grafted upper part is called the scion, and the lower part is called the stock.
- Examples: Mango, Apple, Rose

Sporogenesis (Spore Formation)

Spores are formed from sporangium, and when sporangia burst, spores are released and germinate on reaching a suitable substratum in favorable conditions.
Examples of organisms that reproduce by asexual spores include:
- Fungi (e.g., Rhizopus, Mucor)
- Bacteria (a few species)
- Moss and fern plants

Description

Learn about how plants can propagate through vegetative parts like roots, leaves, and stem structures. Explore the natural and artificial methods of propagation including specialized structures like rhizomes, corms, bulbs, and tubers.