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Q67 (IAS/2014) Science & Technology › Basic Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) › Plant anatomy physiology Official Key

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding vegetative propagation of plants? 1. Vegetative propagation produces clonal population. 2. Vegetative propagation helps in eliminating the virus. 3. Vegetative propagation can be practiced most of the year. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Result
Your answer:  ·  Correct: C
Explanation

The correct answer is option C (Statements 1 and 3 only).

**Statement 1 is correct:** Vegetative propagation produces plants that are genetically similar enough to the parent plant to have all its characteristics[1], meaning they form a clonal population of genetically identical individuals.

**Statement 2 is incorrect:** Vegetative propagation does **not** eliminate viruses. Since vegetative propagation uses parts of the parent plant (roots, stems, or leaves), any systemic viruses present in the parent will be transmitted to the offspring. The documents mention that tissue culture allows many plants to be grown from one parent in disease-free conditions[2], but this refers to controlled laboratory conditions with special techniques, not standard vegetative propagation methods.

**Statement 3 is correct:** Vegetative propagation can be achieved by layering, grafting, or rooting semi-hardwood cuttings[3], and these methods can generally be practiced throughout most of the year, unlike seed propagation which is often season-dependent. This makes vegetative propagation a flexible agricultural technique.

Sources
  1. [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: How do Organisms Reproduce? > 7.2.5 Vegetative Propagation > p. 117
  2. [2] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: How do Organisms Reproduce? > Tissue culture > p. 118
  3. [3] https://www.science.gov/topicpages/m/micropropagation+seed+propagation
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Q. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding vegetative propagation of plants? 1. Vegetative propagation produces clonal p…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 6.7/10 · 3.3/10
Statement 1
Does vegetative propagation of plants produce clonal populations (genetically identical offspring)?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: How do Organisms Reproduce? > 7.2.5 Vegetative Propagation > p. 117
Presence: 5/5
“There are many plants in which parts like the root, stem and leaves develop into new plants under appropriate conditions. Unlike in most animals, plants can indeed use such a mode for reproduction. This property of vegetative propagation is used in methods such as layering or grafting to grow many plants like sugarcane, roses, or grapes for agricultural purposes. Plants raised by vegetative propagation can bear flowers and fruits earlier than those produced from seeds. Such methods also make possible the propagation of plants such as banana, orange, rose and jasmine that have lost the capacity to produce seeds. Another advantage of vegetative propagation is that all plants produced are genetically similar enough to the parent plant to have all its characteristics.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states vegetative propagation produces plants 'genetically similar enough' to the parent and retains parental characteristics.
  • Gives practical examples (banana, orange, rose, jasmine) where vegetative methods preserve parent traits.
Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: How do Organisms Reproduce? > What you have learnt > p. 126
Presence: 4/5
“They can also give out buds which mature into new individuals.• n Roots, stems and leaves of some plants develop into new plants through vegetative propagation.• n These are examples of asexual reproduction where new generations are created from a single individual.• n Sexual reproduction involves two individuals for the creation of a new individual.• n DNA copying mechanisms creates variations which are useful for ensuring the survival of the species. Modes of sexual reproduction allow for greater variation to be generated.• n Reproduction in flowering plants involves transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma which is referred to as pollination.”
Why this source?
  • Identifies vegetative propagation as a form of asexual reproduction created from a single individual.
  • Asexual reproduction from one parent is the conceptual basis for offspring being genetically similar/clone-like.
Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 2: PLANT AND ANIMAL KINGDOMS > Dispersal of plants in Migration > p. 5
Presence: 3/5
“Te following factors determine and control the nature of seed dispersal of plants and therefore, dispersal and migration of plants: • (i) Properties of seeds• (ii) Agents of seeds transportation• (iii) Speed and distance of dispersal• (iv) Geographical barriers• (v) Tolerance factors• (vi) Continental Drift.• (vii) Anthropogenic factor (Man as a medium of dispersal of seeds) Plants which reproduce vegetatively by asexual means, such as rhizomes, corms and bulbs, will have an extremely limited capacity for migration as the ofspring will be immediately adjacent to the parents and so will hardly be dispersed at all from the previous generation. In contrast, plants which reproduce by spores or seeds, will have faster rates of migration as they will be dispersed further between generations.”
Why this source?
  • Describes vegetative/ asexual means (rhizomes, corms, bulbs) producing offspring immediately adjacent to the parent.
  • Supports the ecological implication of local, repeated propagation consistent with clonal spread.
Statement 2
Can vegetative propagation of plants eliminate or remove systemic plant viruses from the propagated material?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: How do Organisms Reproduce? > Tissue culture > p. 118
Presence: 5/5
“In tissue culture, new plants are grown by removing tissue or separating cells from the growing tip of a plant. The cells are then placed in an artificial medium where they divide rapidly to form a small group of cells or callus. The callus is transferred to another medium containing hormones for growth and differentiation. The plantlets are then placed in the soil so that they can grow into mature plants. Using tissue culture, many plants can be grown from one parent in disease-free conditions. This technique is commonly used for ornamental plants.”
Why this source?
  • Describes tissue culture (a form of vegetative propagation) using growing-tip tissue and artificial media.
  • Explicitly states that tissue culture allows many plants to be grown 'in disease-free conditions', implying removal/avoidance of pathogens in propagated material.
Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: How do Organisms Reproduce? > 7.2.5 Vegetative Propagation > p. 117
Presence: 2/5
“There are many plants in which parts like the root, stem and leaves develop into new plants under appropriate conditions. Unlike in most animals, plants can indeed use such a mode for reproduction. This property of vegetative propagation is used in methods such as layering or grafting to grow many plants like sugarcane, roses, or grapes for agricultural purposes. Plants raised by vegetative propagation can bear flowers and fruits earlier than those produced from seeds. Such methods also make possible the propagation of plants such as banana, orange, rose and jasmine that have lost the capacity to produce seeds. Another advantage of vegetative propagation is that all plants produced are genetically similar enough to the parent plant to have all its characteristics.”
Why this source?
  • Defines vegetative propagation methods (layering, grafting) and links them to practical propagation of crops and ornamentals.
  • Provides context that vegetative methods produce clones from parent tissues, showing the pathway by which pathogens could be retained or, if combined with disease-free techniques, avoided.
Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > Ever heard of ... > p. 17
Presence: 2/5
“Viruses are microscopic and acellular. Viruses multiply when they enter a living cell. They may infect plants, animals, or bacterial cells and may cause a disease.”
Why this source?
  • States that viruses infect plants and multiply within living cells, establishing relevance of viral pathogens to plant propagation.
  • Helps connect the concept of plant viruses to the need for disease-free propagation methods like tissue culture.
Statement 3
Can vegetative propagation of plants be practiced during most of the year (i.e., is it generally season-independent)?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"A high-frequency, season-independent, in vitro regeneration of Ficusreligiosa was developed,"
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states an in vitro regeneration protocol was 'season-independent'.
  • Shows that micropropagation (in vitro vegetative propagation) can be performed irrespective of season for at least some species.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Vegetative propagation can be achieved by layering, grafting, or rooting semi-hardwood cuttings, but the highest number of possible propagules is limited by the size of the plants and time of the year."
Why this source?
  • States conventional vegetative methods (layering, grafting, rooting cuttings) are limited by the size of plants and time of the year.
  • Indicates many standard, non–in vitro vegetative propagation methods are season-dependent.

Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 13: Our Home: Earth, a Unique Life Sustaining Planet > 13.5.1 Asexual reproduction > p. 220
Strength: 4/5
“Many plants can reproduces when any part of the plants—leaf, stem, or root—is planted in soil. This kind of reproduction is called vegetative propagation.”
Why relevant

Gives a general definition: many plants can reproduce when a part (leaf, stem, root) is planted in soil, implying vegetative propagation is a broadly applicable method across species.

How to extend

A student could combine this generality with climate maps (tropical vs temperate) to ask whether broad applicability implies year-round practicability in different zones.

Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: How do Organisms Reproduce? > 7.2.5 Vegetative Propagation > p. 117
Strength: 4/5
“There are many plants in which parts like the root, stem and leaves develop into new plants under appropriate conditions. Unlike in most animals, plants can indeed use such a mode for reproduction. This property of vegetative propagation is used in methods such as layering or grafting to grow many plants like sugarcane, roses, or grapes for agricultural purposes. Plants raised by vegetative propagation can bear flowers and fruits earlier than those produced from seeds. Such methods also make possible the propagation of plants such as banana, orange, rose and jasmine that have lost the capacity to produce seeds. Another advantage of vegetative propagation is that all plants produced are genetically similar enough to the parent plant to have all its characteristics.”
Why relevant

States vegetative methods (layering, grafting) are used commercially for many crops (sugarcane, roses, grapes, banana, orange, jasmine), showing these techniques are standard horticultural practices.

How to extend

Use knowledge of the crop types (tropical vs temperate) and their growing seasons to infer that while methods are widely used, timing may depend on crop and local climate.

INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Land Resources and Agriculture > Agricultural Land Use in India > p. 25
Strength: 5/5
“The rabi season begins with the onset of winter in October-November and ends in March-April. The low temperature conditions during this season facilitate the cultivation of temperate and subtropical crops such as wheat, gram and mustard. Zaid is a short duration summer cropping season beginning after harvesting of rabi crops. The cultivation of watermelons, cucumbers, vegetables and fodder crops during this season is done on irrigated lands. However, this type of distinction in the cropping season does not exist in southern parts of the country. Here, the temperature is high enough to grow tropical crops during any period in the year provided the soil moisture is available.”
Why relevant

Explains seasonal cropping distinctions (rabi, zaid) and explicitly notes that in southern parts (tropical), 'temperature is high enough to grow tropical crops during any period in the year provided the soil moisture is available.'

How to extend

A student could combine this with the definition of vegetative propagation to hypothesize that in tropical regions vegetative propagation may be more year-round than in temperate regions.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Cashew-nut (Anacardium occidentale) > p. 49
Strength: 5/5
“Cashew responds well to supplementary irrigation during the summer months (April to June). Planting of soft wood grafts is usually done during monsoon season (July-August) both in the west coast and the east coast. Terefore land preparation such as clearing of bushes and other wild growth, digging of pits for planting should be done during the pre-monsoon season (May-June). Cashew is commonly grown in sloppy lands both in the west and east coasts. Soil erosion and leaching of plant nutrients are generally expected under such topographical conditions. To overcome this problem, preparing terraces around the plant/tree trunk and opening of catch-pits are highly essential.”
Why relevant

Gives a concrete example where planting of softwood grafts is usually timed to the monsoon season, showing some vegetative propagation techniques are seasonally scheduled for success.

How to extend

Compare such crop-specific recommendations with local seasonal calendars to test whether propagation is typically tied to wet/dry or temperature seasons.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Sisal (Agave sisalana) > p. 53
Strength: 4/5
“Top soil should be disturbed as little as possible and infertile sub-soil should not be exposed. Ploughing to a depth of 15-20 cm is adequate. Sisal plants rarely set seeds. Propagation of sisal is done by bulbils and suckers which are asexual source of propagation. Te sisal plant produces nearly 500-2000 bulbils. Bulbils are collected from mid-February to mid-April. Te process of extracting the fbre from leaf tissues of sisal is called decortications. Extracting of fbre is preferably done on the same day or within 48 hours from the time of harvesting. Decorticated fbre is washed in clean water and dried in the sun for removing moisture.”
Why relevant

Shows a species-specific seasonal detail: sisal bulbils are collected from mid-February to mid-April, indicating that parts used for vegetative propagation may have optimal collection windows.

How to extend

A student could survey propagation-material availability across species and seasons (using phenology calendars) to judge when vegetative propagation is practicable.

Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Vegetative propagation = asexual reproduction
💡 The insight

References define vegetative propagation as reproduction using plant parts (root/stem/leaf) and label it asexual, linking the process to single-parent reproduction.

High-yield basic biology: distinctions between sexual and asexual reproduction are frequently tested and underpin questions on inheritance, crop propagation and breeding. Master via NCERT examples and contrast with sexual reproduction to answer definition and implication questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: How do Organisms Reproduce? > 7.2.5 Vegetative Propagation > p. 117
  • Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 13: Our Home: Earth, a Unique Life Sustaining Planet > 13.5.1 Asexual reproduction > p. 220
  • Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: How do Organisms Reproduce? > What you have learnt > p. 126
🔗 Anchor: "Does vegetative propagation of plants produce clonal populations (genetically id..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Clonality / genetic similarity in asexual propagation
💡 The insight

Evidence explicitly says vegetatively propagated plants are 'genetically similar enough' to the parent and notes generation from a single individual.

Important for questions on genetics, variation and agricultural practices (why clones retain traits or why variation is limited). Learn the NCERT phrasing, implications for breeding and exceptions (role of mutation) to handle applied and conceptual UPSC questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: How do Organisms Reproduce? > 7.2.5 Vegetative Propagation > p. 117
  • Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: How do Organisms Reproduce? > What you have learnt > p. 126
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 2: PLANT AND ANIMAL KINGDOMS > the contribution of charles Darwin > p. 3
🔗 Anchor: "Does vegetative propagation of plants produce clonal populations (genetically id..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Dispersal limits of vegetative reproduction
💡 The insight

Reference notes vegetatively reproducing plants (rhizomes, corms, bulbs) produce offspring adjacent to parents, limiting migration and dispersal.

Useful for linkage questions across ecology and reproduction—explains population spread, conservation and invasive potential. Helps answer integrated questions on biodiversity, migration and agricultural planting strategies; study examples and ecological consequences.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 2: PLANT AND ANIMAL KINGDOMS > Dispersal of plants in Migration > p. 5
🔗 Anchor: "Does vegetative propagation of plants produce clonal populations (genetically id..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Tissue culture as disease‑free vegetative propagation
💡 The insight

Reference [7] links tissue culture (a vegetative propagation method) to producing plants in 'disease‑free conditions', directly relevant to removing pathogens from propagated material.

High-yield for questions on plant propagation, crop protection, and biotechnology: explains a lab technique that can produce pathogen-free clones. Connects to topics on asexual reproduction, agricultural practices and plant pathology. Prepare by understanding steps of meristem/tissue culture, its uses and limitations.

📚 Reading List :
  • Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: How do Organisms Reproduce? > Tissue culture > p. 118
🔗 Anchor: "Can vegetative propagation of plants eliminate or remove systemic plant viruses ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Vegetative propagation and clonality
💡 The insight

References [1] and [4] describe vegetative propagation methods and the production of genetically similar plants, which frames how pathogens present in parent tissues may be transmitted or managed.

Important for UPSC questions on agricultural practices and crop improvement: shows why vegetative propagation is used (rapid, identical offspring) and the implications for disease spread or containment. Study method types (cutting, grafting, layering, tissue culture) and policy/production implications.

📚 Reading List :
  • Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: How do Organisms Reproduce? > 7.2.5 Vegetative Propagation > p. 117
  • Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: How do Organisms Reproduce? > What you have learnt > p. 126
🔗 Anchor: "Can vegetative propagation of plants eliminate or remove systemic plant viruses ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Plant viruses and systemic infection
💡 The insight

Reference [8] establishes that viruses infect plants and multiply inside cells; reference [9] on vascular tissue transport is relevant to systemic spread within plants.

Key for linking plant pathology to propagation techniques: knowing that viruses are intracellular and can move systemically explains why some propagation methods risk transferring infections. Useful for questions on biosecurity, crop disease management and technology adoption; revise basic virus biology and plant vascular transport.

📚 Reading List :
  • Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > Ever heard of ... > p. 17
  • Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > What you have learnt > p. 99
🔗 Anchor: "Can vegetative propagation of plants eliminate or remove systemic plant viruses ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Vegetative propagation: methods and utility
💡 The insight

References define vegetative propagation and list methods/uses (e.g., layering, grafting) and examples (banana, rose, sugarcane), which is the core phenomenon under question.

High-yield for UPSC topics on crop husbandry and horticulture — understanding what vegetative propagation is, common methods and why it is used (earlier bearing, clonality, seedless crops) helps answer diverse questions on nursery practice, crop improvement and commercial horticulture. Prepare by learning method→purpose→examples and linking to economic uses.

📚 Reading List :
  • Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: How do Organisms Reproduce? > 7.2.5 Vegetative Propagation > p. 117
  • Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 13: Our Home: Earth, a Unique Life Sustaining Planet > 13.5.1 Asexual reproduction > p. 220
🔗 Anchor: "Can vegetative propagation of plants be practiced during most of the year (i.e.,..."
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