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.