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In vegetative reproduction or propagation there is no exchange of genetic material with another individual and in this way the new plant is genetically equal to its progenitor.
Many of the plants that reproduce asexually are also capable of sexual propagation.
In nature, vegetative reproduction occurs from simple extensions of the body of the mother plant with the capacity to develop new individuals. Sometimes it is the horizontal branches, which, when they come into contact with the ground, root or even extend adventitious roots from the air and when they touch the ground they become stems or secondary trunks.
How vegetative propagation occurs
Vegetative propagation or reproduction involves non-sexual structures of plants, while sexual reproduction is achieved through the production of gametes in the sexual organs and their subsequent fertilization.
Vegetative propagation occurs in meristematic tissue, which is commonly found in stems and leaves, as well as in root tips, where we can find undifferentiated cells. These divide by mitosis, which causes rapid and widespread primary growth of the new plant.
Types of vegetative propagation
Vegetative propagation can be done through natural or artificial methods. Although both methods involve the development of a new plant from an existing and mature one, the way in which each is carried out is very different.
natural vegetative propagation
Natural vegetative propagation occurs when plants grow and develop naturally without human intervention. An important ability of plants that allows for natural vegetative propagation is their ability to develop roots. Through root formation, new plants can sprout from stems, leaves, or roots of a parent plant. Modified stems are often the source of vegetative propagation for plants. Vegetative plant structures that arise from plant stems include rhizomes, runners, corms, tubers, and corms.
- Rhizomes: Rhizomes are modified stems that typically grow horizontally along the surface or below the soil. These store proteins and starches and when they grow they become new plants.
- Bulbs: These are vegetatively propagating organs found on the central shoot of a new plant. The bulbs consist of a bud surrounded by layers of fleshy, scale-like leaves. These leaves store food for the new plant.
- Tubers : are vegetative organs that can develop from stems or roots. The top of a tuber produces a new plant shoot.
- Seedlings : are vegetative structures that develop on some plant leaves. These miniature plants arise from meristematic tissue located along the edges of the leaves. Upon maturity, the seedlings develop roots and drop the leaves. Later, they take root in the soil and form new specimens.
artificial vegetative propagation
Artificial vegetative propagation is a type of plant reproduction that involves human intervention. The most common artificial vegetative propagation techniques include cutting, layering, grafting, suctioning, and tissue culture. Many farmers and horticulturists use these methods to produce healthier crops with more desirable qualities.
- Cutting: this method cuts and sows a part of the plant, usually a stem or a leaf. Cord roots develop from the cuttings and then form new individuals.
- Graft: the tissue systems of the cutting are grafted or integrated with the tissue systems of the mother plant.
- Layering: This method involves bending the branches or stems of the plants so that they touch the ground and are covered with soil. When these mature, they are transplanted and thus new specimens sprout.
- Tissue culture: This technique is based on the culture of plant cells that can be taken from different parts of a mother plant.
Advantages of vegetative propagation
Vegetative reproduction or propagation has several advantages. Some of them are:
- The plants have the same genotype, so they will be clones and will not have variations with respect to the mother plant.
- The production stage can start earlier.
- Genotypes and genetic complexes can be ensured.
- Superior genotypes that determine favorable genetic characteristics (such as resistance to pests and/or diseases, growth, resistance to extreme humidity conditions, etc.) can be maintained .
- Useful in situations of biological risk or need for rapid expansion, such as during the colonization of a territory or the massification of specimens in the face of imminent danger.
- Commercial crops may employ artificial vegetative propagation techniques to ensure advantageous qualities in their crops.
- Control of the phases of development or form of plant growth: plagiotropic, orthopic development, topophysis, epigeny, etc.
Bibliography
- Nabors, NW Introduction to botany . (2006). Spain. Addison Wesley.
- Fuentes Yague, JL Introduction to botany. (2001). Spain. Mundi-Press Editions.
- Smith, M. Manual of plant reproduction. (2007). Spain. Omega.
