Propagation

This is the process of multiplying plant either through the seed or other parts of the plant like the stem, leaf or root and other plant parts. Propagation can also be said to be the artificial or natural dispersal of plant.

There are mainly two types of propagation which are sexual or vegetative propagation (asexual propagation).

Sexual propagation: Sexual propagation is the act of multiplying plant through the use of seeds and spores through sowing. Seeds are mainly produced from sexual reproduction within a species, because of the occurrence of genetic recombination. Plant grown from seed may possess different characteristics from its parents; some species produces seeds that need special conditions to germinate, such as cold treatment.

Vegetative propagation: Plants have a number of mechanisms for vegetative propagation (asexual propagation). This is the process of multiplying plant without the use of seeds instead of other parts of the plant like stem, root or leaves are used. Some of these have been taken advantage of by horticulturist and gardeners to multiply or clone plant rapidly. People also use other methods such as the tissue culture and grafting. Plants are produce by the use of a single material from a single parent and as such there is no exchange of genetic material, therefore the vegetative propagation methods almost always produce plants that are identical to the parent.