Vegetative Propagation - Natural And Artificial Methods: Definition, Types, Examples

What Is Vegetative Propagation?

Vegetative propagation is the process of raising new plants from vegetative parts of a parent plant. It essentially involves vegetative parts—a vegetating process that includes leaves, stems, and roots of plants. The advantages of this process are that it provides for the quick multiplication of plants with desirable characteristics through the reproduction of plants, that are generally genetically identical to the parent plant. Put differently, it tends to favour the production of individuals with a replica of the original plant's characters.

Natural Vegetative Propagation

Natural vegetative propagation does not involve the actions of humans, and it is supported by a plant's regenerative capability from its vegetative structures. It can take place through several methods, including:

Runners

Runners are above-ground horizontally growing stems producing new plants at their nodes. An example of this is in strawberries that propagate naturally through runners, rooting at the nodes to form new plants.

Rhizomes

Rhizomes are underground stems growing horizontally. From the nodes, new shoots and roots form. Ginger and bamboo are examples of plants that have rhizome propagation.

Tubers

Tubers are modified stems that swell with stored nutrients. From the "eyes" or buds on its surface, new plants can grow. Potatoes are very common examples of this type of plant propagation.

Bulbs

Bulbs A bulb is a short stem with fleshy leaves that are packed with stored food. From the bulb, new shoots and roots grow to form new plants. Onions and tulips form bulbs and reproduce by this means.

Leaves

In some plants, the leaves will fall off of the parent plant and form new individuals. For instance, the African violet can form a new plant from a cutting of a leaf.

Artificial Vegetative Propagation

Artificial vegetative propagation is vegetative propagation that is artificially induced by human means to obtain new plants from vegetative parts of a plant. Commonly used methods:

Cuttings

• In this method, the required portion of the plant, usually a stem or a leaf, is cut and planted in soil or any other growth media. The cutting generally produces adventitious roots and develops into a new individual. Hormones are used to promote rooting. This technique is used for plants like roses and geraniums.

Grafting

• Grafting—joining a piece of one plant, the scion, to the stem of another plant, the rootstock. The tissues of the two plants grow together, forming a single plant. It is a technique often used in growing fruit trees where desirable traits of two plants are united into a single individual.

Layering

• Layering This is a technique where a stem is bent down to the ground and covered with soil where it roots while still attached to the parent plant. When roots have formed the new plant can be cut from the parent. Air layering is a type of layering used with plants having thick stems.

Tissue Culture

• Tissue culture also referred to as micropropagation, is the cultivation of plant cells or tissue on a nutrient medium in a sterile environment. With this method, large numbers of plants of the same kind can be increased in a very short period. It is mainly used in propagating rare species that are on the verge of extinction.

Vegetative Propagation Advantages

• Genetic Uniformity: The offspring produced are genetically identical to the parent and therefore the retention of desired characteristics.

• Faster Growth: Plants vegetatively propagated establish and grow faster than those produced from seeds.

• Seed Dormancy Avoided: This method does not involve the juvenile phase of development associated with seed germination. Hence it generally produces plants that reach anthesis faster.

• Clonal Propagation: It allows for clones to be produced, hence very useful in commercial plantations where uniformity of quality and yield is desired.

• Adaptation to Particular Conditions: Vegetative propagation can be done in conditions unsuitable for seed germination.

Disadvantages Of Vegetative Propagation

• No Genetic Diversity: As the propagated plants are genetically identical, they are most likely to be susceptible to various diseases and changes in the environment.

• Dependence on Parent Stock: Success in vegetative propagation usually relies on the parent plant's health and vigour.

• Labour-Intensive: Newer methods, such as grafting and tissue culture, are successful but highly skilled and often labour-intensive.

• Short Lives: Vegetatively propagated plants often have shorter lives than those raised from seed.

Conclusion

This is a very important module in asexual propagation that allows plants to reproduce effectively while maintaining their desirable characteristics. Both natural and artificial vegetative propagation methods have different advantages and challenges, making the methods very useful in horticulture and agriculture. It's through understanding these methods that growers can optimize plant production and promote biodiversity.

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