By thapppa

Methods of Propagation
1. Sexual Method of Propagation: In this method the plants are raised from seeds.
Advantages:
>For evolution of new varieties through breeding, the hybrids are raised from seed.
> In some fruit plants like papaya, this is the most popular method of propagation.
>Seed propagated rootstocks are hardy and develop better root system.
> Viruses don‘t transmit through seeds, thus mostly the seedlings are free from virus diseases.
>Occurrence of polyembryony (more than one embryo in seed) in citrus and mango leads to the development of
uniform seedlings as in asexual method.
Disadvantages
1. Seedlings have a long juvenile period and come into bearing later as compared to asexually raised plants.
2. Due to segregation of characters, the progeny is not true-to-type.
3. It is not economical to handle larger trees, as less number of trees can be accommodated per unit area and
the cultural operations are difficult.

2. Asexual(Vegetative) Method of Propagation: In this method of propagation the plants are obtained from a
vegetative portion of the mother plant instead of seeds.

Advantages

1. In some fruit plants like banana, which do not bear seeds, this is the only method of propagation.
2. The plants are generally true-to-type, uniform in growth, yielding capacity and fruit quality.
3. Have short juvenile phase, thus come into bearing earlier than seedling plants.
4. The advantages of rootstocks can be obtained by budding or grafting susceptible varieties on resistant/ tolerant
rootstocks.
5. Plants have restricted growth, thus cultural practices and harvesting are easy.
6. Useful technique in production of plants which are otherwise difficult to propagate through seeds.

Disadvantages
1. New variety cannot be evolved by this method.
2. Plants are not so vigorous and long-lived as the seedling trees.
3. Germplasm conservation requires lot of space and is expensive as compared to storage of seeds.

Types of Vegetative propagation-(Cutting, Layering, Grafting and Budding)

@Cutting: Cutting is a method of asexual propagation in which plant part such as stem, root or leaf is cut from the
parent plant and placed under favourable condition to from roots and shoots thus producing a new independent plant.
 Advantages
1. It is the cheapest method of asexual method of propagation
2. It is used for clonal multiplication of root stocks.
Types of cuttings: stem,root,and leaf cutting
a. Stem cutting- stem cutting from healthy and disease- free plant, preferably from the upper part of the plants.
Cutting generally is consist of the current or past season’s growth. Remove any flowers and flower buds when
preparing cutting. eg Rose.

b. Root cutting- root cutting is one of the most reliable and economical ways. Large fleshy root,the thicker the
better. The best way to keep track of “up” and “down” is to make a flat cut on top “up” side and a slanted cut on
“down” or bottom side.

c. Leaf cutting – leaf cuttings are prepared from leaves with or without their stalk(petioles). Leaf section cutting
can be used for propagating plants. Leaf cutting consist of a single leaf attached to a piece of 1 to 0.5 inch stem.
The dominant bud, located where the leaf stalk joins the stem will give rise to a new shoot and branches.
@Layering: Layering is a means of plant propagation in which a portion of an aerial stem grows roots while still attached
to the parent plant and then detaches as an independent plant. Layering has evolved as a common means of vegetative
propagation of numerous species in natural environments. Layering is also utilized by horticulturists to propagate
desirable plants. Natural layering typically occurs when a branch touches the ground, whereupon it produces
adventitious roots.

Types of layering: Simple, Compound ,Mound and Air layering

a. Simple layering:In simple layering, shoots are bent over to the ground. A second bend is made in the branch a, short
distance from the tip.The tip is covered with soil and held in place with a wire or wooden stake. Simple layering is an
easy and cheap alternative to stem cutting.

b. Compound layering: Compound(serpentine) layering is similar to simple layering, but several layers can result from a
single stem. Bend the stem to the rooting medium as for simple layering but alternatively cover and expose sections of
stem. Each section should have at least one bud exposed and one bud covered with soil.

c. Mound layering: a method of propagation in which various woody-stemmed plants (as currants, gooseberries,
quinces) are cut back to the ground in early spring and the new shoots that they develop are covered with soil to a
depth of six to eight inches to induce root growth which forms individual plants that can be removed in the fall.

called also stool layering

Or :In this method, a plant is cut back to the ground level during the dormant season and soil is heaped
around the base of the newly developing shoots. After slowing sufficient time for root initiation,
individual rooted layers are separated from the mother plant and panted. Eg. Apple rootstocks,

Guava, Litchi, Quince

d. Air layering : Air layering is an ancient method of layering, originally introduced from China. Now commercially used
for propagation of a number of tropical and sub-tropical trees and shrubs including litchi, guava, mango, longan, persian
lime (Citrus aurantifolia), ficus, croton etc. Air layers are made in the spring or summer on stems of the previous
season’s growth. The presence of active leaves on the layered shoot speeds root formation. Layers are prepared by
making an upward cut about 5cm long at or about the center of the shoot. The shoot is then girdled by removing a ring
of bark about 2cm wide. The upper part of wound is applied with IBA paste made in lanolin. The wound is covered with
moist sphagnum moss in a way to provide complete cover to it. Polyethylene film is wrapped around the moss grass in
such a way as to leave no opening which could allow evaporation of moisture from the moss.

@Grafting: Grafting is a process by which two living parts are joined together in such a manner that they would unite
together and subsequently grow into a composite plant. Usually graft ha two parts, the scion and root stock. The part of
graft which is to become the shoot system is termed as scion. Scion is the short piece of detached shoot containing 3 or
more dormant buds, which when united with the root stock or inter-stock, comprises the upper portion of the graft and
from which will grow the stem or branches or both. It should be of desired cultivar and free from diseases. The part
which is to become the root system is called root stock. The root stock is the lower portion of the graft, which develops
into root system of the grafted plant.

Types of grafting: Approach, Side , Vaneer, Soft wood grafting and Epicotyl grafting(stone grafting)

a. Approach grafting: it is unique because both the rootstick and scion remain attached to their root systems during the
grafting process. The scion is usually in a container, which is brought to the rootstock. The graft is done while both the
partners are actively growing. It is a graft used when the scion is unique and the propagator does not want to remove it
from the stock plant. It is also used when standard grafts have not been successful. After the graft union forms, cut the
unwanted root stock and scion away.

b. Side grafting: It is a plant graft in which the scion is inserted into the side of the stock and the aerial head of the stock
permitted to grow until union is established between stock and scion. The scion is prepared by removing tissue from
both sides of the scion. The scion is inserted into a downward cut in thee root stock. The most appropriate time for side
grafting in mangoes is the rainy season. The main reason for this is that the required moisture and proper temperature
that supports grafting remains for a long time in atmosphere. It is less expensive.
c. Vaneer grafting: It is a technique used for stock larger than 3cm in diameter. A small portion of the wood removed
from rootstock as low down as probable to reduced suckering, leaving a small veneer at the base of the cut. The scion is
cut , matched & firmly tied into the rootstock. This method of propagation possess promise for mass scale commercial
propagation. This method is simple. For conducting this grafting operation, a downward and inward 30-40 mm long cut
is made in the smooth area of the stock at a height of about 20 cm. At the base of cut, a small shorter cut is given to
intersect the first so as to remove the piece of wood and bark. The scion stick is given a long slanting cut on one side and
a small short cut on the other so as to match the cuts of the stock. The scion is inserted in the stock so that the cambium
layers comes on the longer side. The graft union is then tied with polythene strip.

d. Soft wood grafting: It is commercially used for raising mango, sapota, tamarind & cashew nut in western india

e. Epicotyl grafting(Stone grafting):

 @Budding: Budding is also a method of grafting wherein only one bud with a piece of bark and with or
without wood is used as the scion material. It is also called as bud grafting. The plant that grows after union
of the stock and bud is known as budding.
Methods of
budding
a. T –Budding (Shield budding):
This method is known as T-budding as the cuts given on the stock are of the shape of the letter T, and shield
budding as the bud piece like a shield. This method is widely used for propagating fruit trees and many
ornamental plants. This method is generally limited to the stock that is about 0.75 to 2.50cm in diameter
and actively growing so that the bark separate readily from the wood. Eg. Citrus, Rose etc.
b. Chip budding: In chip budding, a chip of bark and wood is removed from the smooth surface between the
nodes of the stock.
A chip of similar size and shape is also removed from the bud wood of the desired cultivar.
For which, a 2 3cm long downward cut is made through the bark and slightly into the wood of the stock.
Then a second cut of about 2.5cm is made so that it bisects the first cut at an angle of 30-45° and the chip is
removed from the stock.

Similarly, a chip of bud is removed from the budwood, ensuring that the bud is in the middle of chip. The bud
chip inserted in the stock in such a way that cambium of the bud chip should have direct contact with the
cambium of the stock. It is then tightly wrapped with polythene strip, leaving the bud uncovered. The bud
may sprout after 3-4 weeks and afterwards the wrapping material should be removed. When the bud starts
growing, the stock may be cut above the bud union.
c. Patch budding

d. Flute budding

e. Ring budding

Propagation through specialised vegatative parts:

There are certain plant modifications which are used for vegetative propagation of plants. These modified
plant `parts may be stem, root, or leaves and are usually specialized for food storage. Two principal methods
are used for propagation of plants by using these modifications.
A) Separation: naturally detachable structures, such as bulbs or corms are separated and planted
individually and
B) Division: The plants modification such as rhizomes, tubers etc., are cut into sections to obtain
new plants from each section.

1) Bulbs: Bulbs are produced by monocotyledonous plants in which the stem is modified for storage and
reproduction. Bulb is a specialized underground organ consisting of a short freshly, usually vertical
stem axis bearing at tip apex or growing points and enclosed by thick freshly scales. Bulb scales
morphologically are the continuous sheathing leaf base. Growing points develop in the axils of these
scales to produce miniature bulbs known as bulblets/ daughter bulbs. These daughter bulbs can be
separated from the mother plant at the end of growing season and used as propagating material.
Ex: Tulip, Daffodils, Polyanthus (Tuberose), Onion, Garlic, (cloves)
2) Tubers: A tuber is the short terminal portion of an underground stem which has become thickened
because of accumulation preserved food material eg: Potato. Propagation by tuber can be carried out
either by planting the whole tuber or by cutting into sections each containing bud or eyes.
3) Tuberous roots: Certain herbaceous perennials produce thickened roots which contain large amount
of stored food. The tuberous roots differ from the tubers in that they lack nodes and internodes.
Adventitious buds are present only at stem end or proximal end; fibrous roots are produced towards
the distal end. These fleshy roots are separated and used for propagation. E.g.: Sweet potato, Dahlia.
Tapioca (Cassava)

4) Rhizomes: The horizontal, thick and fleshy or slender and elongated stem growing underground are
known as rhizomes. Rhizomes have nodes and internodes and readily produce adventitious roots. The
rhizomes are cut into pieces, each containing vegetative bud and transplanted. Eg: Banana,
Ginger, Ferns, Turmeric, and Cardamom.
5) Corms: A corm is solid underground base of a stem having nodes and internodes and is enclosed by
a dry scale like leaves. After flowering one or more corms may develop just above the old one, which
disintegrates. In addition several new corms called caramels develop below each new corm. These may
be separated and grown for 1-2 years to reach flowering stage. Eg: Gladiolus, Amorphophallus.

6) Runners: Runners are specialized arial stems (stolones) arising in the leaf axils of plant having rosette
crowns. New plants arise from nodes at interval along these runners. From these runners more new
runners may arise thus developing natural clonal multiplication methods. The typical runner producing
plant is straw berry which is photo sensitive with regard to its runner production. Long days favour
runner production where as short days prevent runner formation. Eg: Strawberry.

7) Suckers: Adventitious shoot from the underground portion of the stem or from their horizontal root
systems are known as suckers and when these strike roots, they may be utilized as propagation
materials. Well developed suckers are dugout and separated from the mother plant and planted in
the nursery for further growth. Suckers are usually treated like rooted layers. Eg: Pineapple,
Chrysanthemum, Curry leaf, Banana

8) Offsets/ offshoots: An offset is a shoot or thick stem of rosette like appearance arising from the base
of the main stem of certain plant such as date palm, pineapple etc.,
  Date palm cultivars are propagated vegetative by separating away the offshoots and replanting
them.

 However these are girdled and layered for about a year prior to separation, because offshoots do not
root easily when directly separated from the mother plant and planted in the field.

Micropropagation
 It is the process of multiplying plant stock or plant material by growing plantlets in tissue culture
to produce a large number of progeny plants and then planting them out.
 Micropropagation is one of the important contributions of plant tissue culture to commertial plant
propagation and has vast significance.
 Plant tissue culture owes its origin to the revolutionary concept of totipotency of plant cell
propounded by famous German plant physiologist, Haberlandt in 1902.
 The technique provides a rapid reliable system for production of large no. of genetically uniform
disease-free plantlets.
 Micropropagation is the technique of developing plants from very small portion of plants such as
shoots tip, root tip, embryo, stem, pollen grain, callus or single cell.
 This technique has opened a vast scope for improvement of fruits and plantation crops though
micropropagation creating genetic diversity, germplasm conservation, virus elimination,
development of somatic hybrids and gene transfer.

Advantages of micropropagation
 To capture and multiply unique genotypes without the problem of variation, which is inherent in the sexually
propagated material.
 To produce the crop that is uniform and predictable which is not possible through seedlings.
 Large number of plants can be produced from a single piece of plant part
 Rapid multiplication of desirable and rare plants can be done.
 Large number of haploid and homozygous plants can be developed.
 In vitro multiplication can be continued through out the year irrespective of season.
 Disease/ Virus free plants can be produced through tissue culture

Disadvantages of micropropagation
>Micropropagation is not always perfect means of multiplying plants.
>Specified equipments / facilities required.
>More technical experts required.
>Protocols not optimised for all the species.
>It is very expensive.
>Some plants very difficult to disinfect of fungal organism.
METHODS OF MICRO-PROPAGATION
These artificial process of producing plantlet involves 5 different methods:

a) Meristem Culture
 It is a process of culturing meristems (both apical and axillary) which is free from virus, used to obtain virus free plants by
rapid multiplication. It also used to preserve germplasm characters.
 In this method of micropropagation, subtending leaf primordial and a meristem is placed into their respective growing media
culture and allowed to grow.
 After some weeks, an elongated rooted plantlet is produced.
 Once after they reach a considerable height, these plantlets are transferred into the soil.
 In this method, a diseas- free plant can be produced and can be successfully used for rapid
 multiplication of various herbaceous plants.

b) Callus culture:

>Generally callus is formed as a result of injury at the cut ends of a stem or a root. Localised centres
of activity is recorded in a callus. When tissues on culture produce unorganised mass of callus with
no regular form then it is called callus culture.
>In this method, selected plant tissue is placed in an artificial growing medium culture until the
callus is formed.
>After the production of callus, they are transferred into a culture medium containing plant growth
regulators for the induction of adventitious organs.
>After a few weeks, a new plantlet is exposed gradually to the environmental condition.
 c) Embryo culture:.
>The method of culturing mature and immature embryos in media is called embryo culture.

>By this method, it is possible to produce plants from dormant seeds and seeds with metabolites that
inhibit germination.

>This method is very important in crop improvement programs.

>In the method of embryo culture, the embryo is extracted and placed into a culture medium with proper
nutrient in aseptic condition.

d) Protoplast culture
In this method, the plant cell is isolated and cultured in an appropriate medium to reform the cell wall
and callus. Later, under suitable conditions, the cell develops a cell wall followed by an increase in cell
division and cellular differentiation and grows into a new plant.

What is plant tissue culture ?

It is a technique of growing cell, tissues, organs, or whole organism in vitro (in glass ) on artificial culture
medium under aseptic and controlled conditions.

>A very technical method of asexual propagation

>The growing of plantlets from small pieces of plant tissue from a parent plant.
>Uses an artificial medium under sterile conditions.
Q1) What is tissue culture and micropropagation?
Micropropagation is the tissue culture technique used for rapid vegetative multiplication of ornamental
plants and fruit trees. The method of tissue culture produces several plants. Each of these plants will be
genetically identical to the original plant from where they were grown.

Q2) Why is tissue culture is known as micropropagation?

Plant tissue culture specifically is also known as micropropagation because it involves rapid multiplication
of small amount of plant material to produce more progeny.

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