In this chapter we will learn in detail about the vegetative propagation through stem cutting, buds, and leaves and in cactus. Single celled organisms like yeast reproduce through the production of Bud’s chain on their single cell body. Algae-like spirogyra break up into two or more fragments when there is enough water and nutrients. These fragments or pieces grow into new individuals. We will also learn about the different parts of flowers. Pollination is a process of transferring pollen from one flower to another. After the successful transfer of pollination the process of fertilization starts. It involves the fusion of male and female gametes of plants.

Vegetative propagation is a type of asexual reproduction in which new plants are produced from roots, stems, leaves, and buds. In this virtual tour activity, we will learn about Vegetative propagation by stem cutting. It is a method in which a cut stem is taken from a plant and planted. We will understand this concept by performing an experiment.

Have you noticed that during monsoons if potatoes are stored for a longer period of time, small buds grow on them? These buds are known as eyes and can be used to grow a new plant. We will understand this concept by using potato, ginger, and turmeric. 

Do you know a few plants can reproduce from their own leaves? In the Bryophyllum plant, leaves have small buds on their leaves. These buds grow into new plants. The new plants are exact copies of the parent plant, as they are produced from a single parent.

In this virtual tour activity we will understand how vegetative propagation takes place in cactus from the detached part of the plant.

Spirogyra is the algaes which are the slimy green patches in ponds, or in other stagnant water bodies. They generally reproduce by the process of fragmentation in which they divide themselves into multiple parts.

Have you noticed that if we keep bread in a warm environment for several days, fungi is developed on them? These are called spores. Spores are asexual reproductive bodies. Under favorable conditions of Warm temperature and enough humidity a spore germinates and develops into a new individual. If we keep the bread in a cool and dry place, it will last longer and stay fresh.

Some plants contain spores that float in the air and cause asexual reproduction. A fern is a plant that reproduces by spores. The Fern spores are the tiny genetic bases for new plants and look like little dots. Spores look like little dots. In favorable conditions, fern spores germinate and form new plants.

In this virtual tour activity we will learn about flowers which are the reproductive organs of the plant. Parts of the flower are sepals, petals, stamen, pistil, stigma, ovary and ovule. All these parts have an important role to play in the flower’s life.

Pollination is the act of transferring pollen grains from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma. The process of fusion of male and female gametes to form a zygote is called fertilisation. After the fertilization process, the ovary of the flower grows and develops into a fruit.

Do you know how plants grow at different places in nature even though they cannot travel from one place to another? Plants disperse their seeds in different ways. Some seeds are dispersed through the air, some float in water and some are dispersed by birds or animals.