Methods of Plant Propagation
Propagation is simply multiplication or production of plants, which you can do by using your own plants!
Methods of Plant Propagation:
- Seed propagation
- Cutting
- Layering
- Division
- Grafting
- Budding
- Tissue culture
Seed propagate : Seed propagate means to multiply or to breed naturally. Seed propagation is not a technique whose primary goal is to produce more seeds, although this will happen if efforts are successful. The aim of seed propagation is usually to produce more plants. There are other methods of plant breeding such as the use of plant cuttings or root cuttings, but the use of seeds tends to be the most common.
Cutting : This is cutting the vegetative part of the plant (leaf, stem, and root) and then planting it again to regenerate the whole plant. The three types of cutting are named after the plant part being detached or cut:
- Stem cutting
- Leaf cutting
- Root cutting
Division: This is a suitable technique for perennials (plants that live for more than two years). It involves dividing the plant by digging and moving it to an already prepared site. This helps the plant to rejuvenate and reduce water and nutrient competition.
Layering: In this technique, the attached and bent branch of the plant is covered with soil and allowed to root. After the emergence and development of roots that specific part of the plant is cut and allowed to grow as a new plant. This is called ‘layering’.
Grafting : This involves cutting a twig of one plant and joining it with the stem of another plant in such a manner that they form a unit and function as one plant. It is a bit of a complex process but allows you to bring the desired character to your plant. However, be sure to sterilize your hands and tools to make sure you don’t transfer any infections during the process.
Budding : In this method, a cut is made in the rootstock and a single bud with little or no wood is inserted into it in such a way that they unite and grow as a new plant.
Tissue Culture : Tissue culture is used to develop thousands of genetically identical plants from one single parent plant known as somaclones, and this process is known as micropropagation. The method offers an advantage over other methods as it can be used to develop disease free plants from disease-rode plants by using their meristems as explants.