Different Methods of Reproduction in Plants

Microbiology, one of the Biology Topics, explores microorganisms and their effects.

What is Reproduction ? And Explain Modes of Reproduction in Plants

All the living things are called organisms. The plants and animals are living things, therefore, plants and animals are organisms. The production of new organisms from the existing organisms of the same species is called reproduction.

In most simple words we can say that the creation of new living things from the existing living things is called reproduction. The most important characteristic of living organisms (plants and animals) is their ability to produce more members of their species. For example, human beings reproduce by giving birth to babies (sons and daughters).

And dogs reproduce by giving birth to puppies. Plants also reproduce to form new plants either from their body parts or from seeds. Thus, all types of organisms (plants as well as animals) produce new organisms of their own kind. In this chapter, we will study the reproduction in plants only. That is, we will learn how the plants reproduce to give new plants.

There are different methods (or modes) of reproduction in plants. All the different methods of reproduction in plants can be divided into two main groups : asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction. Thus, there are two types of methods of reproduction (or modes of reproduction) in plants:

1. Asexual reproduction, and
2. Sexual reproduction.

In order to understand asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction in plants, we should first know the meaning of the term gametes’. The special cells involved in sexual reproduction are called gametes. Gametes are the reproductive cells which are commonly known as sex cells. Gametes are of two types : male gametes and female gametes. The term ‘asexual’ means ‘not involving the fusion of sex cells’ (or gametes). And the term ‘sexual’ means ‘involving the fusion of sex cells’ (or gametes). Keeping these points in mind, we will now define asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction in plants.

1. Asexual Reproduction in Plants

The production of new plants from existing plants without the involvement of gametes (or sex cells) is called asexual reproduction. It is called asexual reproduction because it does not make use of special cells called sex cells (or gametes) for producing new plants. Since there is no fusion (or combination) of gametes, no seeds are formed in this method of reproduction. Thus, in asexual reproduction in plants, new plants can be obtained from an existing plant without seeds. Thus, new plants do not always grow from seeds produced by old plants. New plants can be grown from old plants even without seeds. Some of the plants which can be produced by asexual reproduction methods (without seeds) are : rose, potato, ginger, turmeric, sweet potato, Dahlia, sugarcane, Bryophyllum and cactus.

2. Sexual Reproduction in Plants

The production of new plants from existing plants by the fusion of their gametes (or sex cells) is called sexual reproduction. It is called sexual reproduction because sex cells (called gametes) are involved in this method for producing new plants. In sexual reproduction in plants, the fusion of male and female gametes leads to the formation of seeds. The seeds can then germinate to form plants. So, in sexual reproduction, new plants are obtained from existing plants through seeds. Most of the flowering plants (which produce flowers) reproduce by the method of sexual reproduction. Some of the plants which are produced by sexual reproduction method (from seeds) are : wheat, gram (chana), maize (makka), peas, paddy (rice), sunflower, mustard, cotton, and drumstick.

The basic difference between asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction in plants is that:

1. In asexual reproduction, new plants are produced without seeds.
2. In sexual reproduction, new plants are produced from seeds.