13_Propagation
Plant Propagation
Overview
Plant propagation involves methods to reproduce plants, both sexually and asexually.
Learning Objectives
Differences in Reproduction: Understand sexual vs. asexual reproduction and their advantages.
Benefits of Asexual Reproduction: Examine why asexual reproduction can be beneficial.
Types of Plant Propagation
Asexual (Vegetative) Reproduction
Cloning of plants without sexual reproduction (mitosis).
Results in genetic clones.
Tissue Culture
Growing plants in an artificial medium under controlled conditions.
Grafting
Joining two plants together to grow as one.
Sexual Reproduction: Seeds
Involves fertilization and formation of seeds.
Seed Treatments
Fungicides
Pelleting
Enhances size and uniformity of seeds.
Priming
Microbial Biofertilizers
Improves health and nutrient availability.
Seed Banks
Storage facilities for preserving plant genetic diversity.
Asexual Reproduction in Plants
Advantages:
Uniform populations with desirable traits for breeders.
Increases survival in nature due to cloning ability.
Polyploidy:
Common occurrence leading to vigorous but sterile plants.
Methods of Asexual Propagation
Runners:
Horizontal stems that produce new plants (e.g., strawberries).
Rhizomes, Tubers, Stolons:
Various underground and above-ground structures for propagation.
Sexual Reproduction in Plants
Pollination Process Example:
Wasp pollination in figs highlights complex relationships between plants and pollinators.
Benefits of Sexual Reproduction: Seeds
Coevolution with Animals:
Dispersal, scarification, and digestion aid in seed germination and survival.
Importance of Seed Treatments
Improves germination rates and protects seeds from pathogens.
Considerations include fungicides and pelleting methods.
Grafting
Definition:
An agricultural technique where the tissue of one plant is grafted onto another.
Purpose:
Combine desirable traits from different plants; uses best root stock and scion.