View source for Plant propagation

{{Short description|Process of growing new plants}}
[[File:Gentiana punctata seedlings (13900812284).jpg|thumb|right|[[Gentiana|Gentian]] seedlings in a plant nursery]]
'''Plant propagation''' is the process by which new plants grow from various sources, including [[seed]]s, [[Cutting (plant)|cuttings]], and other plant parts. Plant propagation can refer to both man-made and natural processes.

Propagation typically occurs as a step in the overall cycle of plant growth. For seeds, it happens after ripening and [[Seed dispersal|dispersal]]; for vegetative parts, it happens after detachment or pruning; for asexually-reproducing plants, such as [[strawberry]], it happens as the new plant develops from existing parts.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Vegetative plant propagation|url=https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/1662-vegetative-plant-propagation|access-date=2021-06-15|website=Science Learning Hub|language=en}}</ref>

Countless plants are propagated each day in [[horticulture]] and [[agriculture]].

Plant propagation is vital to agriculture and horticulture, not just for human food production but also for forest and [[Fiber crop|fibre crops]],  as well as traditional and [[herbal medicine]]. It is also important for [[plant breeding]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Wang |first1=Wenle |last2=Xu |first2=Jinfan |last3=Fang |first3=Huiyong |last4=Li |first4=Zhijun |last5=Li |first5=Minhui |date=2020-09-01 |title=Advances and challenges in medicinal plant breeding |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168945220301795 |journal=Plant Science |volume=298 |article-number=110573 |doi=10.1016/j.plantsci.2020.110573 |pmid=32771174 |issn=0168-9452|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bradshaw |first=John E. |date=2017 |title=Plant breeding: past, present and future |url=https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10681-016-1815-y |journal=Euphytica |language=en |volume=213 |issue=3 |doi=10.1007/s10681-016-1815-y |issn=0014-2336|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==Sexual propagation==
[[Image:GrowingAvocadoFromSeed.JPG|thumb|One way to germinate an [[avocado]] seed]]

{{Further|Germination}}
Seeds and [[spore]]s can be used for reproduction (e.g. [[sowing]]). Seeds are typically produced from [[Plant sexuality|sexual]] reproduction within a species because [[genetic recombination]] has occurred. A plant grown from seeds may have different characteristics from its parents. Some species produce seeds that require special conditions to germinate, such as [[Stratification (botany)|cold treatment]]. The seeds of many [[Australian flora|Australian plants]] and plants from southern [[Africa]] and the [[United States|American]] west require smoke or fire to germinate. Some plant species, including many [[tree|trees]], do not produce seeds until they reach maturity, which may take many years. Seeds can be difficult to acquire, and some plants do not produce seed at all. Some plants (like certain<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=UOJ3UD_1jDgC&pg=PA5 Hybrids of plant species being sterile, hybrids of same species are not]</ref> plants modified using [[genetic use restriction technology]]) may produce seed, but not a fertile seed.<ref>[http://science.slashdot.org/story/13/02/19/2212256/monsantos-terminator-seeds-set-to-make-a-comeback GMO plant made to produce infertile seeds]</ref> In certain cases, this is done to prevent the accidental spreading of these plants, for example by birds and other animals.<ref name="a">{{cite book |last1=Moore |first1=Kathleen A. |last2=Bradley |first2=Lucy K. |title=North Carolina Extension Gardener Handbook: Second Edition |date=February 2022 |publisher=University of North Carolina Press |isbn=978-1-4696-6973-1 |pages=Chapter - 13 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZAGwzgEACAAJ |language=en}} [https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/extension-gardener-handbook/13-propagation#section_heading_5635 '''Read online''']</ref>

==Asexual propagation==
[[File:Rose cuttings with plastic bottle greenhouse.JPG|thumb|Rose cuttings under plastic bottle greenhouse]]

Plant [[Root|roots]], [[Plant stem|stems]], and [[Leaf|leaves]] have a number of mechanisms for asexual or [[vegetative reproduction]], which horticulturists employ to multiply or [[cloning|clone]] plants rapidly, such as in [[tissue culture]] and [[grafting]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Asexual Propagation |url=https://horticulture.tekura.school.nz/plant-propagation/plant-propagation-2/h1092-plant-propogation-2-study-plan/asexual-propagation/ |website=horti culture |access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref> Plants are produced using material from a single parent and as such, there is no exchange of genetic material, therefore vegetative propagation methods almost always produce plants that are identical to the parent. 

In some plants, seeds can be produced without fertilization and the seeds contain only the genetic material of the parent plant. Therefore, propagation via asexual seeds or [[apomixis]] is asexual reproduction but not [[vegetative propagation]].<ref name="a"/>

[[Image:Cuttings greenhouse.jpg|thumb|right|Softwood stem cuttings rooting in a controlled environment]]

Techniques for vegetative propagation include:
*Air or ground [[layering (horticulture)|layering]]
*[[Division (horticulture)|Division]]
*[[Grafting]] and [[Budding#Plant multiplication|bud grafting]], widely used in [[fruit tree propagation]]
*[[Micropropagation]]
*[[Offset (botany)|Offsets]]
*[[Stolon]]s (runners)
*[[Storage organ]]s such as [[bulb]]s, [[corm]]s, [[tuber]]s, and [[rhizome]]s
*[[Cutting (plant)|Striking or cuttings]]
*[[Twin-scaling]]

==Heated propagator==
[[File:ElectricPropagator.JPG|thumb|right|Electric propagator, filled with pepper plant seedlings, in front of a house window.]]
A heated propagator is a horticultural device to maintain a warm and damp environment for seeds and [[Cutting (plant)|cutting]]s to grow in. They generally provide bottom heat (maintained at a particular temperature) and high [[humidity]], which is essential in successful seed germination and in helping cuttings to take root. In colder climates they are sometimes used for plants like peppers and [[Sweet pea|sweet peas]] which need warmer environments (about 15°C, for the plants listed) in order to germinate. If excessive condensation forms on the inside of the lid, the gardener can open the ventilating holes to regulate the temperature a little.

Non-electric propagators (mainly a seed tray and a clear plastic lid) are a lot cheaper to purchase than a heated propagator, but without the constant regulated warmth and bottom heat provided by a heated propagator, growth of seedlings tends to be slower and less consistent (with increased risk of seeds failing to germinate).<ref>{{cite web |title=13 heated propagators for nurturing your plants in 2023 |url=https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/growing/heated-propagators/ |website=BBC Gardeners World Magazine |access-date=18 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Heated propagators: tried and tested |url=https://theenglishgarden.telegraph.co.uk/buyers-guide/heated-propagators-tried-and-tested/ |website=The English Garden |access-date=18 October 2023 |date=17 January 2018}}</ref>

==Seed propagation mat==
An [[electric]] '''seed-propagation mat''' is a heated [[rubber]] mat covered by a metal cage that is used in [[gardening]]. The mats are made so that planters containing seedlings can be placed on top of the metal cage without the risk of starting a [[fire]]. Another example is a ''seedling heat mat'', multiple layers of durable, water resistant plastic material with insulated heating coils embedded inside (similar to underfloor heating systems, but with rubber mat instead of flooring).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sheehan |first1=Lindsay |title=5 Best Seedling Heat Mats For Faster Germination |url=https://www.ruralsprout.com/seedling-heat-mats/ |website=Rural Sprout |access-date=17 October 2023 |date=6 January 2021}}</ref> In extreme cold, gardeners place a loose plastic cover over the planters/mats which creates a sort of miniature [[greenhouse]]. The constant and predictable heat allows people to raise seedlings in the winter months when the weather is generally too cold for seedlings to survive naturally outside. When combined with a [[Grow light|lighting system]], many plants can be grown indoors using these mats.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dyer |first1=Mary H. |title=What Does A Heat Mat Do – Using A Heat Mat For Seedlings |url=https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/seeds/how-to-use-a-heat-mat-for-plants.htm |website=Gardening Know How |access-date=17 October 2023 |language=en |date=5 October 2022}}</ref> This can increase the variety of plants that a gardener can use.

==See also==
{{sister|project=v|text=[[v:Plant propagation|Plant propagation on Wikiversity]]}}
* [[Adventitious]]
* [[Clonal colony]]
* [[Fruit tree propagation]]
* [[Orthodox seed]]
* [[Recalcitrant seed]]
* [[Selection methods in plant breeding based on mode of reproduction]]
* [[Propagation of grapevines]]
* [[Weeping willow (tree)]] is an ornamental tree (''Salix babylonica'' and related hybrids
* [[Propagation of Christmas trees]]
* [[Hemerochory]]
* [[Escaped plant]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamental/a-reference-guide-to-plant-care-handling-and-merchandising/propagating-foliage-flowering-plants Reference Guide to plant care handling and merchandising]

== Bibliography==
* Charles W. Heuser (1997). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=2PV6NNatznkC The Complete Book of Plant Propagation]''. Taunton Press. {{ISBN|1561582344}}.

{{Horticulture and Gardening}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Plant Propagation}}
[[Category:Plant reproduction|Propagation]]
[[Category:Horticultural techniques]]
[[Category:Agronomy]]
[[Category:Forest management]]