Vegetative Propagation

 Vegetative propagation is a form of asexual

reproduction in plants.

 It does not involve gametes, flowers, seeds or

fruits.
◦ Offspring are produced by a single parent plant and
are genetically identical to the parent.

 Vegetative propagation can happen naturally

or can be done artificially.
 Natural vegetative propagation can occur in
the following ways:
◦ Modified Stems – runners.
◦ Modified Roots – tubers.
◦ Modified Leaves – plantlets.
◦ Modified Buds – bulbs.
Runners (Strawberry)
 Runners are stems that grow across the
ground and from which new plants grow.
◦ Buds on the runners can give rise to new plants.
Root Tubers (Dahlia)
 A root tuber is a swollen, underground root
that remains dormant during winter and from
which new plants may grow.
◦ New shoots grow from buds at the base of the old
stem.
Plantlets (‘Mother of Thousands’)
 Some plants produce a large number of small
new plants along the edge of their leaves.
◦ These fall off, root themselves and grow.
Bulbs (Onion)
 A bulb is a modified bud.
◦ It consists of an underground stem reduced in size
and numerous leaves that are swollen with food.
◦ The centre of the bulb contains an apical bud which
can produce leaves and a flower.
◦ Lateral buds are located between the stem and each
leaf and can each form a new shoot in spring.
 Artificial vegetative propagation can occur in
the following ways:
◦ Cuttings
◦ Grafting
◦ Layering
◦ Micropropagation
 Cuttings are parts of a plant (usually shoots)
that are removed from the parent plant and
allowed to form new roots and leaves.
 The shoot is cut at an angle and is often
treated with rooting powder to speed up root
formation.
 Grafting is used to
combine useful
qualities or traits
from two different
plants into one
plant.
◦ Roses can be grafted
to get large flowers
from one plant and
large roots from
another.
 In layering a branch of a parent plant is bent
down and covered in soil, except at the tip.
◦ The covered part forms roots and in time the two
plants are separated.
 Micropropagation is the
growth of large numbers
of plants from very small
plant pieces e.g. tissues
or cells.

 The cells are grown in a

special medium e.g. agar.
◦ Growth regulators are used
to make the cells divide and
to make them form roots
and shoots.
 Sexual (seed)
Advantages
Offspring show variation
from parents (allowing
evolution).
Some plants may be resistant
to disease.
There is less competition due There is overcrowding and
to seed dispersal.
Some seeds may remain
dormant in the soil.
Asexual (vegetative)
Disadvantages
There are no variations (can
be an advantage in
commercial horticulture).
If one plant is susceptible to
disease then they all are.
competition.
No dormant seeds in the soil.
 Sexual (seed) Asexual (vegetative)
Disadvantages Advantages
Complex process. Simple process.
May depends on outside
No outside agents are
agents for pollination and
needed.
dispersal.
Slow growth of the young Rapid growth of young
plants to maturity. plants.
Wasteful e.g. petals, nectar,
No waste.
pollen and fruit.