Vegetative propagation characteristics — UPSC Prelims PYQ 2014
Which of the following statements is / are correct regarding vegetative propagation of plants?
- Vegetative propagation produces clonal population.
- Vegetative propagation helps in eliminating the virus.
- Vegetative propagation can be practiced most of the year.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- 1 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct
- Vegetative propagation is a form of asexual reproduction in plants, where new plants grow from vegetative parts such as roots, stems, leaves, or specialised structures, without the involvement of seeds.
- It results in clonal populations, meaning the new plants are genetically identical to the parent. This occurs because methods such as cuttings, layering, and grafting regenerate new plants from parts of the parent plant, bypassing seed production.
Statement 2 is incorrect
- Vegetative propagation does not eliminate viruses. In fact, if the parent plant is infected with a virus, the virus is likely to be passed on to the offspring since it replicates asexually.
Statement 3 is correct
- Vegetative propagation can be practised for most of the year, depending on the method and environmental conditions. Unlike sexual reproduction, which is typically seasonal and reliant on factors like pollination, methods such as cuttings and grafting can be performed year-round if optimal growth conditions are provided.
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only; Difficulty Level: Easy
