Types of asexual reproduction in plants

Asexual reproduction means when only on individual produces its identical offspring without fertilisation. Like, the organism  which has only one cell executes this method for example bacteria. Plants also use this method also known as vegetative reproduction. In this method that produces another plant without forming a seed. Organs like roots, stems, leaves etc are used.  Gardners exploit this property of plants for commercial use.

Stolons

Stolons or runners are the stems that grow above the ground. Example Strawberry. Tiny plantlets form along the stolon, and roots from where they touch the ground. When the plantlet connection with its parent plant breaks, the new plant becomes independent.

Rhizomes

under the ground, the growth of rhizomes which are root-like stems takes place. New shoots and roots are formed at the nodes. New shoots are observed growing upwards to form new plantlets. Lateral buds grow out from the ground to form new rhizomes. An example includes root ginger.

Tubers

Tubers are swollen portions of an underground stem that store food so that plants can escape the winter conditions and plant life as dormant. For example, potatoes. Axillary buds, commonly known as eyes, form over the surface of the tuber and produce shoots that grow into a new plantlet.

Artificial Methods of Asexual Reproduction

Grafting

The method of asexual rproduction in which the stem is conncted with the root of the plant to form a new plant. The part of the stem or the upper part also known as scion is wrapped around the rootstock. It is used to combine two species. Fruits like grapes and citrus fruits grow from this method. 

Cutting

Plants such as ornamental or of aesthetic value such as hibiscus are done with the help of stem cuttings. In this method, a stem portion that has node is placed in soil containing moisture and allowed to develop roots while placed in soil. In some species, stems can start producing a root even when placed in water or nutrient medium only. For example, the Stem of the Rose will root if kept in water undisturbed for several weeks.

Layering

In layering we try to bend the soft stem and cover the soil on it. or harm are preferred. They use the young stem which are able to bend easily.Jasmine, Raspberry, bougainvillea, etc. can be propagated in this way.

Some plants use air layering, which is a different type of layering. It is necessary to remove a section of the stem’s bark or external coating. To give moisture, a piece of the bark or external layer of the stem is removed and covered with moss or any other material. For improved root stimulation, some agriculturists and gardeners use the rooting hormone. Roots will appear in a short time, and additional plantlets, along with roots, can be taken and transferred into a different field or any pot. 

Micropropagation

 It is also called plant tissue culture. It is a method of propagating a large number of plants from single plantlets in a short time under laboratory sterilized conditions. This method allows the propagation of rare, endangered species (near to extinction) that may be difficult to grow under natural conditions and are economically important or are in demand as disease-free plants. In micropropagation, various plant parts such as a leaf, stem, anther, seed, or embryo can be used. Sterilization of plant material is done by using a combination of chemical treatments or taken from the apical meristem part which is generally considered germ free. Under sterile conditions, the plant material is placed on a plant tissue culture medium containing all the minerals, nutrients, vitamins, and hormones required by the plant. The plant part often gives rise to an undifferentiated mass of cells known as callus, from which individual plantlets begin to grow after some time. 

 Conclusion

Grafting, layering, and micropropagation are some of the common methods used for artificial asexual reproduction. Asexual reproduction gives fast multiplication of plants in less time. We use it for those plants whose seed production capability has decreased. Asexually reproducing plants are easy to grow and cost-effective methods are used in this.