Asexual & Sexual Reproduction

These flashcards cover various topics related to plant propagation methods and their characteristics.

Trench Layering

A propagation method suitable for woody plants, where new plants are planted at an angle of 30° to 45°.

Mound Layering

A technique where the parent plant is cut near the ground, and new shoots are covered with growing media for rooting.

Compound Layering

A method similar to simple layering where flexible branches are covered in soil and exposed along their length.

Rhizomes

Specialized stem structures that grow horizontally below the ground, capable of producing new plants called suckers.

Suckers

New plants developed from rhizomes, often divided for propagation; requires at least one bud for each division.

Runner (Stolon)

A specialized horizontal stem that originates from the crown of the plant, each node producing new plants.

Offshoot

New plants developed from the base of fruits or leaves/stems, as seen in pineapples.

Root Sucker

Generated from adventitious buds on the roots, these suckers are separated for planting material.

Apomixis

A form of asexual propagation where embryos form without meiosis and fertilization, resulting in genetically identical plants.

Micropropagation

A tissue culture technique that allows for the growth of plants in aseptic conditions using small plant parts called explants.

Advantages of Micropropagation

Includes rapid generation of disease-free plants and requires minimal propagation material.

Disadvantages of Micropropagation

Can be expensive, requires skilled labor, and seedlings may not adapt well to field conditions.

Sexual Propagation

Involves pollen transfer for fertilization and seed development, producing new plants that are genetically different from the parents.

Advantages of Sexual Propagation

Cheaper method that can create hybrid varieties, often resulting in healthier and longer-living plants.

Disadvantages of Sexual Propagation

New plants may not be identical to parent plants, and pre-bearing periods are longer compared to asexual methods.

Orthodox Seed

Seeds that can be dried to below 10% moisture, stored at freezing temperatures, and have long shelf lives.

Recalcitrant Seed

Seeds that cannot survive extensive desiccation, with moisture loss leading to viability issues.

Intermediate Seed

Seeds that tolerate some desiccation but cannot tolerate freezing, found in between orthodox and recalcitrant types.