Reproduction in Plants

All living organisms have a characteristic that they can produce their own kind.
This production of the offspring from the parents is called Reproduction.

Modes of Reproduction in Plants

Plants have two kinds of parts:

• Vegetative Parts - These are the parts of the plant that plays a major role in
the life cycle of a plant such as preparation of food, transportation of food,
water and nutrients etc. For Example, roots, stems and leaves.
• Reproductive Parts - These are the parts of a plant that play a major role in
the reproduction process in plants, For Example, flowers, fruits
Reproduction in plants can be categorized into two types:

• Asexual Reproduction – The new plants are produced without using the
seeds. In this process, generally, the leaves, stems and roots participate in
reproduction.
• Sexual Reproduction – The new plants are produced with the help of the
seeds of a plant. In this process, the flowers of the plants participate in
reproduction.
Different types of Asexual Reproduction:
1. Vegetative Propagation

As the name suggests this type of reproduction takes place with the help of the
vegetative parts of the plant. Only one parent can produce the identical offspring
in vegetative propagation.

Natural means of Vegetative Propagation:

Vegetative Propagation by Roots

Figure 2: Vegetative propagation by roots in Sweet Potato

• Plants that have tuberous roots, that is, roots which are used as a storage
organ in plants participate in vegetative propagation.

• In order to grow new plants, these tuberous roots are sown in the soil.

• There are buds present on the fruits that grow above the ground and a new
plant is formed.

• Example: Sweet potato and dahlia

Vegetative Propagation by Stem

• Stem Tubers: Just like tuberous roots, some plants have tuberous stems. These
stem tubers store the nutrients and bear nodes. These notes bear buds that form the
new plants. Example: Potato

Figure 3: Vegetative propagation by stem in Potato

• Runners: Some plants grow along the ground and contain modified stems
called Runners. These runners contain buds that can produce roots and
stems. Example: Strawberries
 Figure 4: Vegetative propagation by runners stems
Vegetative Propagation by Leaves
• Some plants have leaves that contain buds that can develop into a new plant.
Example: Bryophyllum

Figure 5: Vegetative propagation by leaves of Bryophyllum

Artificial means of Vegetative Propagation

• Cutting - It is a method in which a cutting from a plant is taken and planted.
This cutting is a part of the stem or the branch of the plant. Example: Roses

Figure 6: Cutting
• Grafting - Sometimes two plants are joined together so that both of them can
provide the desired characteristics to the new plant. One plant remains rooted
in the ground, which is called the Stock, and provides the essential nutrients
and water while the other plants’ stem is attached to it. In this way, a new
plant develops. Example: Apples
 Figure 7 Grafting
Advantages of Vegetative Propagation
• The plants that are produced with vegetative propagation grow faster than
those that are produced with sexual reproduction.

• The plants that reproduce with vegetative reproduction have fruits and flowers
ahead of time.

• The plants that are produced have exactly the same characteristics as that of
their parents.
2. Budding

• Yeast is an organism that contains a single cell. It is a fungi not a plant.

• It can propagate every few hours if the proper amount of nutrients are
available to it.

• As the yeast finds favourable conditions, a small bulb -like projection produces
from the yeast called Bud.
• The bud grows gradually and then gets detached from the parent yeast.

• This new cell then grows measures and produces more cells.

Sometimes a chain of buds is formed which leads to the production of a large

number of yeasts altogether.
 Figure 8: Budding in Yeast
3. Fragmentation
• Algae like Spirogyra generally reproduce by the process of fragmentation in
which they divide themselves into multiple parts.
• As soon as the algae find enough water and nutrients, it fragments and grows
into new individuals.

• This process continues and algae multiply quickly in a short period of time.

Figure 9: Fragmentation in Algae

4. Spore Formation

• Some plants contain spores that float in the air and cause asexual
reproduction.

• A spore has a hard protective cover which protects it from the unfavourable
environmental conditions like temperature and humidity.
• As a result, the spores can travel long distances and survive for a long
duration of time.

• As soon as they find favourable conditions such as moisture and nutrients,

they germinate and form new plants.

• For Example, Moss and ferns propagate in this way.

Figure 10: Spore Formation in Fungus

Sexual Reproduction in Plants

• The flowers of a plant are its reproductive organs that participate in the sexual
reproduction process.

• The male reproductive parts of a plant are called Stamen.

• The female reproductive parts of a plant are called Pistil.
• Some flowers contain both stamen and pistil and are called Bisexual
Flowers. Eg. Lily, rose, brinjal, hibiscus, petunia, mustard etc.
• Some flowers contain either the statement or the pistil and hence are
called Unisexual Flowers. Eg. papaya, watermelon, cucumber, coconut etc.
• The new plant produced contains the characteristics of both plants that
participate in the sexual reproduction.
• The stamen consists of Anther that has pollen grains. These pollen grains
produce male gametes.

Figure 11: Stamen

• The pistil consists of three parts:

o Stigma – It is a sticky surface where pollen grains get attached.

o Style – It is a tube-like structure which connects the stigma and the ovary.
o Ovary – It contains eggs in which the female gametes or eggs are formed.

Figure 12: Pistil

How the male gametes reach the female gametes in plants?

• The male and female gametes fuse and form a zygote.
• The male gametes reach the female gametes by the process of pollination.

• The pollen grains have a tough covering which allows them in surviving the
different climatic conditions.
• Due to their lightweight, winds and water often carry them away to different
plants. Sometimes the pollen grains also get attached to insects which carry
them to different flowers.

• This process of transfer of pollen grains from one stigma to another is

called Pollination.

Figure 13: Pollination

• There are two types of pollination:

o Self-pollination/ Autogamy: When the pollen grains land on the stigma of

the same flower.
o Cross-pollination/ Xenogamy: When the pollen grains land on the stigma
of a different flower, whether of similar kind or different kind.
 Figure 14: Self-pollination and Cross-pollination

The Fertilization Process

• A zygote is formed as the fusion between the male and female gametes
occurs.

• This process of formation of the zygote is called Fertilization.

• Then the zygote develops and turns in an embryo.
 Figure 15: Fertilization

How fruits and seeds are formed?

• After the fertilization process, the ovary of the flowers grows and develops
into a fruit.

• The remaining parts of the flower fall off.

• The ovules develop and form the seeds of the fruits.

• The embryo is enclosed inside the seeds.

• Some fruits are fleshy and juicy such as mango, apple and orange. Some
fruits are hard like almonds and walnuts
 Figure 16: Formation of Fruits and Seeds
What is seed dispersal?

• The transportation of seeds from the parent plant to different places is called
seed dispersal.

• Seed dispersal allows growth of the same kind of plants in different regions.

• This is helpful because it minimizes the competition for food, sunlight, water
and minerals among the plants of the same kind in the same area.

• It also allows them to grow in different habitats.

How the dispersion of seeds occurs?
Distribution Types of Seeds
Factors that propagate
 Drumstick, Maple
(Winged Seeds)
Grasses (Light
weight Seeds)
Winds
Aak (Hairy
Seeds)
Sunflower (Hairy
Fruits)

Coconut (Seeds
with spongy and
Water fibrous coating
so to float in
water)

Figure 19: Coconut Seed

Spiny seeds like

Xanthium and
Animals Urena get
attached to
bodies of animals
Fruit Bursts Castor, Balsam

Figure 21: Seed Dispersal in Balsam Plant