Reproduction in Plants - I

Some plants like potato, ginger and sweet potato develop into new plants from the ‘eye’ of that plant, i.e. they undergo vegetative propagation.

Mango, watermelon and cucumber are the plants with seeds, whereas sugarcane is a seedless plant.

Rose plant reproduces through vegetative propagation, i.e. giving rise to a new plant of its own kind with the involvement of a part other than the flower. The stem of rose, when buried in soil, gives rise to a new rose plant.

Sweet potato and dahlia are the plants which propagate vegetatively by roots of the plants. Vegetative propagation is a method of asexual reproduction.

The spore forming body in ferns is known as sori. These spores are means of reproduction and multiply in a rounded body called sporangia.

The slimy green patches growing on the surface of ponds are known as algae. These algae reproduce and multiply in ponds by fragmentation and turn the whole pond green.

Ovary, style and stigma are female reproductive parts, whereas anther and filament are male reproductive parts. Male gametes, i.e. pollen grains are produced in anther lobes.

Flowers which bear both male and female reproductive parts, i.e. stamen and pistil are known as bisexual flowers. For example, mustard, rose and petunia are bisexual flowers.

The landing of pollen grains of one flower to the stigma of another flower of the same plant or different plant of the same kind is known as cross pollination.

After fertilisation, the ovary grows into a fruit and ovules develop into seeds. The seeds contain an embryo enclosed in a protective seed coat.

Embryo formation only takes place when male and female gametes fuse to form zygote. This process is called fertilisation. As it involves both parents, it is known as sexual mode of reproduction.

Some seeds are dispersed by animals, especially spiny seeds with hooks. These seeds get stuck to the bodies of animals and are carried to distant places. For example, xanthium and urena are such plants.

Male gametes need to approach the female gamete in order to fertilise it. This transfer of male gamete to female gamete is known as pollination. The agents of pollination are known as pollinators. For example, wind, water and insects. Minerals and soil play no role in pollination.

Seeds of some plants like balsam get dispersed when the fruits burst with a sudden jerk. The seeds are scattered far from the parent plant.

There are some flowers which contain either only pistil or only stamen. These flowers are known as unisexual flowers as only one sex is present in the flower. For example, corn, papaya, cucumber etc.