Question

Discuss various modes of artificial vegetative propagation.

Answer 1

Artificial vegetative propagation is the production of new plants from vegetative parts such as roots, stems, leaves or tissues by artificial methods. The main methods are:

1. Cutting: A piece of stem, root or leaf is cut from the parent plant and planted in suitable soil. It develops roots and shoots to form a new plant. Examples: rose and sugarcane.
2. Layering: In this method, roots are made to develop on a branch while it is still attached to the parent plant. After roots are formed, the branch is cut and planted separately. Jasmine and lemon are commonly propagated by layering.
3. Grafting: A stem or shoot called the scion from a desirable plant is joined to another rooted plant called the stock. Their cambium layers are kept in close contact so that they unite and grow as a single plant.
4. Tissue culture or micropropagation: A small piece of plant tissue called an explant is grown on a sterile nutrient medium under controlled conditions. It develops into plantlets, which are later transferred to soil.

These methods are useful for producing a large number of plants and preserving desirable characters of the parent plant.