Asexual reproduction

• Is also known as asexual reproduction
• This takes place when plants reproduce without producing seeds
• Such plants have modified stems, roots or leaves which produce new individual plants
• The parent plant can thus produce new individual plants
• Examples of such plants include potatoes, grass and sugar cane

Asexual reproduction in potatoes

Shooting potato tubers. Image credit yara.us

• NB Potatoes are sometimes grown from True Potato seed as thus are capable of sexual and asexual reproduction
• In asexual production of potatoes stem tubers grow from a potato plant at the end of the growing season
• Buds on the stem near the soil surface grow down into the soil
• These growths then swell up with food reserves to form a tuber
• Thus one plant can produce many tubers
• Each bud can later grow into a new plant
• Buds are also known as eyes

Potatoes can also be grown using True Potato Seed. Image wordpress.com

Asexual reproduction in rhizomes

Rhizomes. Image credit earthlink.com

• Rhizomes are modified stems which remain underground and grow horizontally
• A rhizome is an underground stem that produces a new plant.
• New grass plants grow from the buds along the stem
• The horizontal stems tend to grow quickly thus allowing the plant to spreading
• Many grass plants and lawns grow and establish themselves in this way

Human beings and vegetative reproduction

Sugarcane cuttings. Image credit livestrong.com

• Tubers and rhizomes are both natural methods of vegetative reproduction
• Human beings use artificial vegetative reproduction method
• They use cuttings to grow plants such as sugar cane
• Sections of certain plants are cut and then planted
• Each section that is planted must have at least one bud which can grow into new plants
• In this manner one parent plant can be used to produce many individuals
• Sugar cane in places like Chiredzi and Hippo Valley is planted and grown using this way

To access more topics go to the Combined Science Notes page.