R2104 3.1 Describe the significance of the vegetative propagation of plants

Question 1

What is vegetative propagation?
Artificial v natural

Answer 1

1. This is asexual reproduction that results in a clone
2. Natural vegatative propagation includes corms, bulbs, rhizomes, stolons, suckers, stem and root tubers
3. Aritficial propagation includes divisions, layers and cuttings. More recently tissue culture and micropropagation

Question 2

What is a propagule

Answer 2

Any part of a plant that can be used to create a new plant

Question 3

Benefits of asexual reproduction for the plant

Answer 3

1. Does not rely on pollination and subsquent fertilisation
2. Reproduction can still take place even if weather conditions are unfavourable for pollinators
3. Does not have to rely on timing for the plant to recieve suitable pollen

Question 4

Benefits of asexual reproduction in horticulture

Answer 4

1. Plants use material from same plant - so they are clones and identical to the parent
2. Some plants dont produce seeds and therefore need to be propagated vegetatively
3. Others do not breed true - seedlings that grow from seed do not closely resemble parents
4. To keep intact particular features for which each variety is prized

Question 5

Benefits of vegatative propagation

Answer 5

1. Plants from same genetic material should be identical in form
2. Only way to propagate sterile plants or seedless fruits and vegetables (e.g. grapes and bananas)
3. All plants will possess the same useful characteristics (e.g. diease resistance)
4. Larger plants can be produced more rapidly reaching maturity (and fruiting) faster
5. Specialised techniques (tissue culture) can be used to produce virus free plants (e.g. strawberry cultivars)
6. Avoids having to overcome seed dormancies
7. Fertilisation is unnecessary