REPRODUCTION IN PLANTS

• Reproduction is the process of giving rise to the young ones of the same
kind which helps in continuance of the race
• Modes of Reproduction:
They are of two types : a) Asexual Reproduction b) Sexual Reproduction
ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION SEXUAL REPRODUCTION
PROCESS OF REPRODUCTION INVOLVING PROCESS INVOLVING FORMATION AND
ONE PARENT AND THERE IS NO FUSION OF MALE AND FEMALE GAMETES
FORMATION OR FUSION OF GAMETES TO FORM ZYGOTE
NO ZYGOTE FORMED ZYGOTE FORMED

TYPES OF ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION I.

Binary fission:
• Nucleus splits into two and then cell splits across middle forming two
identical daughter cells.
• Eg: Bacteria
• Multiple fission involves the splitting of the nucleus several times before
division of the cytoplasm to form four daughter cells e.g : Chlorella and
Chlamydomonas.

II Budding:

• Parent cell produces an outgrowth called bud which grows and then gets
detached along with the
daughter nuclei to lead an
independent life • Eg: Yeast

III Fragmentation:

• Process in which ribbon like filaments grow and break off into two or more
 parts called fragments. Each
fragment grows into a new
individual • Eg: Spirogyra

IV Spore Formation:

• Spores on the underside of the

leaves are light and can be
carried away by wind to different places where on getting favourable
climate they germinate giving rise to new plants.

Eg: Moss and ferns

V Vegetative Propagation :

• Process of production of new plants from vegetative parts like root, stem
and leaves
• Can be grouped into 2 types:
 Natural Vegetative Propagation
 Artificial Vegetative Propagation

NATURAL VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION:

 REPRODUCTION BY STEM
 Common Grass and mint : Stems grow horizontally to the ground. New
shoot and root develop at the node . Root grow downward into the soil
while shoot grow upward forming new plants  Ginger : It’s a modified
shoot because it has:
Nodes and internodes
Nodes carry thin dry brown scaly leaves
Axillary buds grow out from nodes to produce new plants
 Potato: It’s a modified stem because :
Bears scale leaves with axillary buds called eyes which
grow
into
new
plants .

 REPRODUCTION BY LEAF:
  Bryophyllum produces buds at the notch in the margin of leaves. When
these leaves fall on the soil the buds grow into new plants

 REPRODUCTION BY ROOT
 Sweet Potato: Develop numerous fleshy roots containing food where each
such roots develop into new plants.
 Carrot: Biennial plant. Roots grow vegetatively in first year and store food.
Its stem produces flower and seeds next year. Buds at the base of old stem above tap root
are meant for vegetative propagation.

 ADVANTAGES OF VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION

Reproduction by vegetative parts takes place in shorter time
New plants produced spread fast in a small area
Surer method of production
All good characters of the mother plant are retained by the
daughter plant

 DISADVANTAGES OF VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION

Since all the plants produced are genetically identical they are all affected
simultaneously by a disease.
Dispersal of seeds not on its own as daughter plants crowd near mother plants and there
is extreme competition for nutrients leading to stunted growth. ARTIFICIAL VEGETATIVE
PROPAGATION

The methods are as follows:

1. Cutting:
• Stem is cut into small pieces with each having an axillary bud
• Cut ends are planted in moist soil
• Roots develop from these after few
days and grow into new plants

e.g: sugarcane, rose, china rose, lemon

 2. Layering:
• Portion of the lower branch of the plant with an axillary bud at the node is bent down to
touch the soil
• A ring of bark is removed from this portion and covered with soil
• A piece of stone is placed above it so that the branch doesn’t come out of soil
• When branch develops roots it is cut off

from the main plant and grows

independently Eg: Mint , Rose and

Jasmine

3. Grafting:
• A small shoot or bud of the desired plant
is fixed on the stem of another plant of the related species
• Plant receiving the bud is called stock and the shoot fixed on the stock is called scion.
• Cambium layer of stock and scion must come in close contact for successful grafting
• The grafted points are covered with wax to prevent dehydration and protect from
bacterial infection

4. MICROPROPAGATION:
• PROPAGATION OF PLANTS BY TISSUE CULTURE TECHNIQUE

STEPS INVOLVED ARE:

• Tissue of vegetative bud, shoot apex that can be used for micropropagation are called
explant
• Explants treated with sterilization chemicals to prevent microbial growth and cultured in
nutrient medium
• Cells grow and divide to form a cell mass called callus
• Growth regulators i.e. Phytohormones are added to the nutrient medium
• Callus differentiates into plant parts looking like tiny plants called plantlet
 • After 4-6 weeks plantlets transferred to the soil and can be used to develop disease free
plant material or stock for commercial cultivation
e.g:

Orchid, Gladiolus, Chrysanthemum

BENEFITS OF PLANT TISSUE CULTURE

1 Provides rapid propagation of identical individuals and technique is very productive for
superior individuals

2 Can be applied to interspecific hybrids

3 Useful in cases where seeds are dormant and embryo in these seeds can be cultured and
micropropagated

BENEFITS OF PLANT TISSUE CULTURE

1. Requires lot of scientific expertise

2. Cannot be applied in all cases
3. Not easily applicable in remote agricultural areas

SEXUAL REPRODUCTION IN PLANTS

Flower is the reproductive part of the plant

Stalk: flower is attached to the shoot by means of stalk/ pedicel

Thalamus: Expanded tip of the stalk where all four whorls of the flower are held.

FOUR WHORLS OF THE FLOWER:

1. CALYX: Outermost whorl of the flower made of tiny green leaf like structures called
sepals
Function:
• Being green they carry out photosynthesis
• Protect the inner whorls in bud stage 2

COROLLA: second inner whorl made of colourful petals

Functions:

• Petals make flower attractive for attacting insects to carry

out pollination
 3 ANDROECIUM: Third inner whorl next to petals which forms the male reproductive
part of the flower called stamens
Stamens are made of a sac like Anther present at the tip of the long thin filament
Function:
• Anthers are the site where pollen grain develops .
Pollen grains are male gametes

4 GYNOECIUM : Innermost whorl which is the female reproductive part made of Carpel.
o Each carpel is formed of Stigma, Style and Ovary
o Stigma: It is the expanded tip of the carpel. Function: Site of landing of pollen
grains
o Style: Narrow tube like structure joining stigma with ovary. Function : Passage for
the movement of pollen tube from stigma to ovary
o Ovary: Swollen part of the carpel at the base . Forms the fruit after fertilization o
Ovule: Rounded bodies inside the ovary attached to the placenta . Develops into
seeds after fertilization

Types of Flowers:

1) Unisexual Flower : A flower bearing only one reproductive part i.e. Stamen or Carpel

Staminate Flower : Unisexual Flower with only Stamens

Pistillate Flower : Unisexual Flower with only Carpel

2) Bisexual Flower: A flower having both Stamen and Carpel

POLLINATION: Transfer of pollen grain from anther to stigma of a flower of the same species.

Can be of two types:

a) Self pollination: Transfer of pollen grain from anther to stigma of same flower or another flower

of the same plant.

b) Cross pollination: Transfer of pollen grain from anther to stigma of another flower of another

plant but of the same species.

Agents of Pollination can be Insects, Wind, Water , Birds , Animals etc

Entomophily : Transfer of pollen grain from anther to stigma by insects.

Characterisctics of Insect pollinated Flower:

 1. Flowers are large with coloured petal to attract insects
2. Scented flowers to attract insects
3. Contain nectar as food for insects
4. Produce sticky pollen grains so that they stick with the wings of insects

Eg: Marigold, Dahlia and Salvia

Anemophily : Transfer of pollen grain from anther to stigma by winds.

Characteristics of Wind pollinated Flower :

1 Flowers are small and dull coloured

2 Generally have long anthers protruding out of the flower so that pollen may get blown off

3 Produce a large quantity of pollen

4 Pollen are light and smooth so that they can be carried by wind

Eg: Maize, Palm

Hydrophily : Transfer of pollen grain from anther to stigma by water.

Characteristics of Water pollinated Flower :

1 Flowers are small and light and can float on water

2 Male and female flowers are borne on separate plants

3 Pollen grains are produced in large number

Fertilization :

Fusion of male and female gamete to form zygote

Process of fertilization

1. Pollen grain lands on stigma . absorbs moisture from the stigma to form pollen tube.
2. A pollen tube grows through the style and enters the embryo sac.
3. Two male gametes pass through the style into the ovule.
4. Double Fertilization : Process in which one male gamete fuses with the egg cell to form
Zygote and other male gamete fuses with the two polar nuclei to form endosperm.
5. The ovule post fertilization develops into the seed . the integuments devekop into the
seed coat and the ovary develops into fruit.
6. The sepals and petals mostly wither off.

Artificial pollination : Transfer of pollen grain from the anther of the desired plant to the stigma of
another flower by humans.

Advantage : Helps to develop high yielding and disease resistant varieties of crops