Asexual reproduction in plants

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/standard/biology/world_of_plants/growing_plants/revision/6/

It is possible for plants to reproduce asexually (i.e. without flowers or fertilisation). Two of the
most important methods of asexual reproduction are:

 runners - e.g. strawberry, spider plant

 tubers - e.g. potatoes, dahlias

Humans are able to propagate plants by artificial propagation. Taking cuttings and grafting are
the methods of artificial propagation which you need to know. They are a quick way of
propagating large numbers of identical plants.

Plants which are produced in these ways are genetically identical to each other and to the parent;
a group like this is called a clone.

A clone is a group of cells or organisms which are genetically identical to each other.

Advantages for the plant of asexual reproduction:

 only one parent plant is required

 young plants are identical to the parent, so that good features will always be passed on

Advantages for the plant of sexual reproduction:

 characteristics are inherited from two parents - this produces variation in the offspring;

 this gives a good chance of at least a few surviving diseases, changes of climate, etc.
 1. ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION IN PLANTS

 2. Sexual and asexual reproduction compared ADVANTAGE DISADVANTAGE

ASEXUAL -Only one parent needed -- Rapid colonisation of favourable environments -
No variation, so any change in environment conditions will affect all individuals
SEXUAL - Variation, so new features of organisms may allow adaptation to new
environment -Two parents needed -- Fertilisation is random, so harmful variations can
occur

 3. DRM Biology Y10 3 Asexual reproduction in plants • By stolons and runners (as in
grasses) • By spores (as in ferns and mosses) • By tubers (as in potatoes) • By bulbs (as in
onions) • By grafts (used mostly in gardening) In this case, all individuals are genetically
identical to the parent plant.

 4. DRM Biology Y10 4 Examples of asexual reproduction in plants Fern spores stolons
tubers bulbs

 5. Potatoes reproduce using tubers

 6. Stem Tubers: These are modified stems which serve as food storage. The stem extends
into the ground and forms enlarged, swollen structures which we call stem tubers. Stem
tubers are used to store nutrients and therefore allow the plant to survive winter as well as
other adverse conditions. They also serve as a mean of asexual reproduction as new
plants develop from these stem tubers. An example of a stem tuber is a potato. Plant in
winter: New shoot beginning to develop – these make the “eyes” on the potato. Plant in
summer: The shoots have developed enough to photosynthesise. They send food
compounds along underground shoots, the tips of which swell to form “new” potatoes.

 7. Bulbs: These are modified leaf bases which serve as food storage and thereby enable
the plant to survive adverse conditions.These leaf bases may look like scales or they may
extend over and encircle the centre of the bulb (onion). At the base of the bulb, a
modified stem can be seen. Roots grow from the underside of the base while the new
stems and leaves arise from the upper side of the base. An example of a bulb is an onion
bulb.

 8. ONION BULB

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http://sciencemagazine-sheilabastian.blogspot.com/2013/08/vegetative.reproduction-
plants-asexual-tubers-potato-bulbs-stolons-soil-.html


 Most plants reproduce sexually. In this case, male and female cells are formed in the
plant. Fertilisation occurs, that is the cells join together and after this fruits that contain
seeds are formed. Seeds contain the embryo of a new plant. When they germinate, they
open and a new plant called seedling begins to grow.

But sometimes plants can reproduce asexually. That is a new plant is formed without
needing to be fertilised. No sex cells are involved and new individuals are formed from
just one plant.
 There are various forms of asexual reproduction. In plants without flowers, mosses and
ferns, asexual reproduction occurs by forming spores. Although these plants can also
reproduce sexually.

In other plants asexual reproduction may occur by vegetative reproduction. Vegetative

reproduction is when plants create new individuals from a a particular organ, usually
from the stem. New plants may grow from bulbs. Bulbs are underground stems with thick
leaves, examples are onions and tulips. They may also grow from tubers, which are also
underground stems that contain many nutrients, for example, potatoes. They may also
grow form stolons, shoots that grow from the plant and root when they touch the ground,
for example, strawberry plants.

We did an experiment to observe vegetative reproduction. We observed how new plants

grow from potatoes. To do this we placed potatoes in plastic cups with water using tooth
picks to hold them.

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We changed the water often and after some time observed how roots and stems began to
grow from the potato. Look at these photos!

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At this point, we decided to plant the potato in soil. Beautiful potato plants grew. We
were also able to see potato plant flowers and therefore realised that potato plants also
reproduce sexually.

 PLANTING THE POTATOES IN SOIL

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 POTATO PLANTS

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 POTATO PLANT FLOWERS

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 SOME POTATOES BEGAN TO GROW NEW POTATOES IN THE PLANT POT
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 We recorded all of the changes we observed by drawing pictures in our experiment book.
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 WRITING THE RESULTS

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http://dkphoto.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Asexual-
Reproduction/G0000njPVPL1VlKA/I0000nFigaJ87i.Q/C00006iIlXsmpZqE
Teaching Tips: Asexual Reproduction in Plants

A potato eye — an example of an

asexually reproducing structure

Sexual reproduction and the unique process known as alternation of generations characterize the
life cycles of plants. Other strategies for reproducing can also be observed in plants — strategies
that don’t involve the union of sperm and egg. These strategies involve asexual reproduction,
where one parent plant propagates offspring that are genetically identical to it. While a few
animals can reproduce asexually, most do not have this ability.

Have you ever stored potatoes or onions that began to sprout new parts after a while? These are
great examples of asexual reproduction in plants. Interestingly, asexual reproduction in plants is
most often associated with food storage structures that the plant uses to sustain itself during
times of dormancy. The new plant arises from a bud that exists on the food storage structure. The
following are some examples of asexual reproduction in plants—from buds in leaves, stems, and
roots.

Leaves

Onions, garlic, and lilies are examples of modified leaves, called bulbs that serve as underground
food storage for a dormant plant. After these plants have flowered and the above ground leaves
have fallen away, buds at the base of the bulb represent next season ’s growth.

Stems

Many plants reproduce asexually from stems—either below or above ground. Corms, rhizomes,
and tubers are good examples. Corms are short, rounded stems with buds located at the top. An
example is a gladiola. You can tell the difference between a bulb and a corm by the presence of
leaves in the storage unit of the former. Rhizomes are underground stems with buds located at the
tips of the branches. Irises produce these types of rhizomes. Most people are surprised to learn
that potatoes are actually enlarged parts of stems—mostly occurring underground. These types of
food storage structures are called tubers. The “eyes” on a tuber consist of a tiny leaf and a bud,
which can sprout into a new plant.
Roots

Sweet potatoes represent storage roots. These structures include tuberous examples, like the
sweet potato, beets, and turnips as well as longer tap roots, like carrots and parsnips. On the
tuberous examples, the buds occur above the root or are scattered upon it. On the taproots, tiny
buds exist at the base of the shortened stem.

Consider bringing some of these examples into your classroom and starting a garden of plants
that reproduce asexually!

http://www.learner.org/courses/essential/life/session4/teachingtips.html

Reproduction
Ginger has low genetic diversity because it reproduces asexually by vegetative propagation.
Vegetative propagation is a form of asexual reproduction in multicellular plants in which the new
plants are created from the roots, stems ,or leaves of the parent plant. Zingiber officinale
primarily produces from spreading the rhizome. The stem generated from the plants'
rhizome forms a bud that becomes a complete plant, a clone of the original plant. The new plant
arises from absolutely no production of spores or seeds! Another organism that reproduces
similarly to ginger is the sweet potato.

Advantages of asexual reproduction include:

-The rapid production of individuals in large quantities

-Bypassing the sexual phase can help a plant in times of dryness since motile
 sperm requires water to fertilize the egg

-Can be cloned for economic purposes

https://bioweb.uwlax.edu/BIO203/2011/rodger_chel/reproduction.htm
 1. Reproduction in some forms of life
 2. Reproduction  Forms the next generation of species  The means to continue life
(perpetuation of species)  May be sexual or asexual
 3. Asexual reproduction Sexual reproduction  Does not involve gametes or sex cells 
Occurs in many forms and is performed by many lower forms of organsims, including plants 
No genetic variation in organisms  Involves sex cells  The sperm and the egg unite to form a
zygote  Characteristic of many organisms, including plants, animals and humans  Increases
genetic variation among
 4. Examples of Asexual reproduction  Fission – one cell divides into two either
longitudinally, transversely or even diagonally E.g. Algae Volvox and Ulothrix, paramecia,
amoeba, bacteria and corals  Fragmentation – pieces of an organism may break off and develop
into whole organisms Colonies of algae, sea anemone, comb jelly, flatworms
 5. Paramecium
 6.  Budding – cells in some areas of an organism’s body organize themselves to form new
individuals or buds Hydra (freshwater polyp)  Parthenogenesis (virgin birth) – an egg
possessing diploid chromosomes develops into an adult without being fertilized Daphnia,
rotifers, snails, honeybees and sea urchins Examples of Asexual reproduction
 7. Budding in Hydra

Asexual Reproduction In Plants by: Danial Ahmed

Table of Contents
Asexual Reproduction In Plants by: Danial Ahmed

1. Introduction:

2. Types of Asexual Reproduction in Plants:

2.1 Rhizomes:

2.2 Tubers:

2.3 Runners (Stolon):

2.4 Plantlets:

2.5 Bulb:

2.6 Corms:

3. Asexual Plant Reproduction May Seed New Approach For Agriculture

4. Links To Check Out:

5. Glossary:

6. References:
1. Introduction:

Asexual reproduction is the formation of an individual from a single parent without the use of sex cells
and does not undergo processes such as meoisis. (1) The genetic makeup and appearance of the
offspring is identical to its parent. (1) Plants commonly asexually reproduce and therefore have an
abundance of their population as they have certain advantages of this reproducing method. First of all,
they do not have to receive genetic material from another source like pollen from another flower. They
also do not have to worry about having genetic variability of the newly created individual being different
from the parent. Also if there has been a stable environment for the parents over the years, it would not
be essential for the new individuals to be genetically varied to survive. (2) Other benefits of asexually
reproducing plants is that they require less energy and are not as complex as other organisms. (2) This
allows them to reproduce without using a lot of energy. There are many benefits and positives to asexual
reproduction in plants.

The diagram on the right explicitly shows various methods of asexual reproduction such as binary fission.
Another way asexual reproduction occurs is through the form of runners as well as hydra growing on
certain organisms. The diagramon the left clearly reveals the different types of reproduction methods. It
shows how asexual organisms like some plants have the same cells that are identical with the parent and
the newly created individual. There is no genetic variability. Also, all the traits of the parent are
consistent and the same in the offspring. It also shows how reproduction occurs between sexually
reproducing organisms and how the genetic variability ofthe offspring is shared by half the traits of both
parents.

2. Types of Asexual Reproduction in Plants:

2.1 Rhizomes:
One type of asexual reproduction that occurs often in plants is by the rhizomes which are underground
horizontal stems of the plant. (3,4) The Rhizomes consists of many key parts to their structure including
nodes, antinodes, scale leaves, axillary buds as well as adventituous roots, which provide it support. (3)
The asexual reproduction of rhizomes is very unique. It occurs when the scale leaves are seen rising from
the nodal points of the plant and eventually the axillary buds develop and grow into branches that
spread out of the ground and create leaves. (3)The rhizomes continue to grow underground and
strengthen the root of the newly created individual. This process continues amongst the plants and more
are created in a short period of time. This is how this type of asexual reproduction occurs. Some
common plants that experience this reproduction method are irises, tumeric and
ginger. (4)
This is a diagram outlining the steps it takes the plant to asexuallyreproduce using the rhizomes.
This is a diagram of a ginger rhizome, which details its significant part
which play a role in its asexual reproduction.

2.2 Tubers:

Tubers are another method how asexual reproduction occurs in plants. They are often considered
 modified and enhanced rhizomes. (5) They are a plant structure
which saves energy for the parent plant. (5) Their task is very
crucial as they store energy within the plant. Due to the energy
stored in tubers, often people would eat them, to obtain more
energy and strength. (6) There are two types of tubers, stem and
root tubers. (5,6) Stem tubers form from underground rhizomes.
An example would be the potato. Root tubers develop when
sections of the roots swell and bud. (5) An example would be
cassavas. For example, a new potato can be grown on its own when stem branches grow and reach into
the ground, swelling up with starch containing cells. Buds on the tubers will eventually grow into new
plants. If the budding also known as the eyes on the potato keep growing, they may even be able to
create a separate potato if given the chance due to the growth and characteristic that it can store energy.
(5,6) The holes in the diagram of the potato show some of the budding or "eyes".

2.3 Runners (Stolon):

Plant runners are a way in which some plants can asexually reproduce. For example, strawberries, ivy
and spider plants all use this method. (7) A plant runner is a rapidly growing stem that grows above the
ground and on the suface of the soil. (7) The mother parent of a strawberry plant for example runs along
the surface and eventually, produces new individuals from the tip of its node. (7) As the new plant is
slowly developing, the stems of the plant continue to take advantage of the rich soil and grow, while the
roots begin to get stronger and support the
newly created clone of the parent.

These diagrams show the formation of a

new plant through the method of runners
from a single parent.

2.4 Plantlets:
A simple yet effective way that plants such
as duckweed use to asexually reproduce is through the method of plantlets. (6) Plantlets are formed
when there are miniature plants established on the margin of the leaves. (6) Eventually these leaves
break off, fall to the ground and continue growing on their own. (6) The growing success occurs due to
sunlight, rich soil and water, and eventually the newly created individual resembles the appearance of
the mother parent.
2.5 Bulb:
The tasty vegetable that most people enjoy would indeed be the onions. This is one type of plant that
uses the bulb method to asexually reproduce along with chives and lillies. (6,8) Each bulb has a stem,
surrounded with leaves. (8) In the spring time, the shoot apex begins to grow utilizing the nutrients and
energy stored in the leaves. (8) When the onion has contained the necessary nutrients from the parent,
it slowly grows away from the parent and splits. (8) Eventually the newly created onion becomes an
individual.

2.6 Corms:

Corms are very similar to bulbs in appearance but the only difference is that they
do not have storage leaves. (9) Instead they have short and swollen stems, which store
energy for the plant. (9) Similarly the stem continues to grow and create a clone of the parent.
3. Asexual Plant Reproduction May Seed New Approach For Agriculture

Article link:
http://esciencenews.com/articles/2010/03/08/asexual.plant.reproduction.may.seed.new.approach.agric
ulture

This article is very interesting and really focuses on the needs of society and how nature does play a role
in our worldly needs. The main concern of the article was that how can sexually reproducing plants start
to reproduce asexually. The article emphasized the amount of money the farmers have to devote
towards farming and how it is not only expensive for them but for the entire society. Especially
nowadays, the population is growing and we need more food to feed everyone. However, the plants
have growing seasons, which slows down production and sexually reproducing plants take a greater time
to develop. Whereas, asexual plants are created quickly and require less energy. The only drawback is
that most asexually reproducing plants are not edible to consume or want to be consumed by the
people. This is why Jean-Philippe Vielle-Calzada, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) international
research scholar, wondered if he could apply the genetics of asexual plants to sexual plants to produce
an abundance of plants in a short period of time. This was not only a very exciting project for him, but
for agricultural companies as well. "Agricultural companies and farmers around the world have a
tremendous interest in this method," says Vielle-Calzada. He started his research first looking in depth at
apoximis, an asexual reproducing method used by nearly 350 types of flowering plant families, in which
seeds are created without the formation of sperm and egg. He then research a small mustard plant,
which reproduced sexually and wanted to induce apoximis into this plant.
He researched the mustard plant further and looked at the genes that were controlling the plant. One of
them in particular was very interesting, Argonaute 9. Argonautes slice up the messenger RNA before it
can be translated into proteins. They decided to mutate it and instead of the mustard plant making one
gamete, it made several, which were all disturbed and dis-functional. He drew a conclusion that all
plants have the potential to reproduce asexually, but Argonaute 9 is preventing it from happening. Him
and his teams goal as of now is to see how to manipulate Argonaute 9 and dig in further to see how
sexual plants can be converted to asexual methods. Over the years, he has obtained great success, but
he will not settle until he proves this mystery between asexually and sexually reproducing plants.

After reading this article, it indeed sparked attention as to how important plants are for the entire
society. They are a key factor for food as well as for beautification. They also have human uses as well as
medicinal ones. This article is quite relative to the topic of asexual reproduction in plants because it
enlightens and exposes the benefits of this method and how it significantly benefits the population. It is
less costly and consumes less time. The thought and question is that how can sexually reproducing
plants be more like asexual plants. This is the path society is steering towards today more than ever
expected and hope to benefit significantly from this change from sexual to asexual if possible.

https://sbi3uplantsjan2012.wikispaces.com/Asexual+Reproduction+In+Plants+Wiki