COMBINED SCIENCE: VEGETATIVE REPRODUCTION

Vegetative reproduction is the production of offspring from the vegetative structures of single
parent plants.

Vegetative reproduction is asexual reproduction in plants. These two terms mean the same thing.

Examples of vegetative reproduction include:

Rhizomes
Stem tubers
Cuttings

Stem tuber

An example of a stem tuber is the Irish Potato. The tubers grow from the stem of the plant. The
stems have got scale leaves and buds on the stem near the soil surface grow down into the soil.
These growths from the stem then swell up with food reserves to form a tuber. Each tuber has got
buds which can later grow into new plants.

Rhizome

Rhizomes are modified stems which remain underground and grow horizontally.

New grass plants grow from buds along the stem. The horizontal stems can spread quickly and many
grass plants become established over a wide area. An example of a rhizome is Runner Grass.

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COMBINED SCIENCE: VEGETATIVE REPRODUCTION

Cuttings

Cuttings are artificially made. Gardeners and farmers can cut sections of certain plant stems and
plant them. Each section which is planted must have at least one bud which can grow into a new
plant. In this way one parent plant can be used to produce many individuals over a very large area.
An example of a cutting is Sugar Cane.

Advantages of vegetative reproduction

Ease of propagation
No genetic variation which is an advantage to fruit and vegetable growers who would want
identical produce

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COMBINED SCIENCE: VEGETATIVE REPRODUCTION
All the good characteristics of the parent are passed on to the offspring.

Disadvantages of vegetative reproduction

Plants susceptible to diseases

Lack of genetic variation ensures that undesirable qualities are passed down from one
generation to the next.
Undesirable characteristics of the parent are passed on to the offspring.

Differences between asexual and sexual reproduction in plants

Asexual (vegetative) reproduction Sexual reproduction

One parent Two parents
Offspring identical Offspring different
Ease of propagation Propagation slow

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