Asexual Propagation by Cuttings

Table of Contents §Introduction to Plant Propagation §Sexual Propagation §Asexual Propagation l Stem, Leaf, Cuttings l Layering l Separation & Division l Tissue Culture l Budding and Grafting

Asexual Propagation What is it? § The reproduction or multiplication of a plant without a seed…not a sexual process

Reasons to Use Asexual Propagation §To produce uniform, superior plants §Many plants don’t come true from seeds §Some plants don’t produce viable seeds §Take advantage of useful “freaks of nature”

Mutant Tissue

§A group of plants derived from a single individual plant. Disadvantage: NO Genetic Diversity! (All of the plants have identical genes.) Why is this a problem???

§Most common type of asexual propagation Common Types of Cuttings: §Stem Cuttings §Leaf Cuttings §Leaf Bud Cuttings

Cut part of the plant Roll in a hormone. Place in media (SOIL). Keep cutting moist until it has its on roots.

Rules for Cuttings §Typically take cuttings from New Growth §Collect cuttings early in the morning §Collect cuttings from healthy stock plants §Provide proper environment for rooting

The Proper Environment... The Media §Must be sterile §Must provide air exchange §Must hold moisture The Atmosphere §Need HIGH relative humidity

Rooting Hormones Indoleacetic Acid (IAA) §natural plant hormone §causes roots to form on stems IBA & NAA §Most commonly used §Comes in powder or solution