Plant propagation

Gentian seedlings in a plant nursery

Plant propagation is the process by which new plants grow from various sources, including seeds, 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 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.[1]

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 fibre crops, as well as traditional and herbal medicine. It is also important for plant breeding.[2][3]

  1. ^ "Vegetative plant propagation". Science Learning Hub. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
  2. ^ Wang, Wenle; Xu, Jinfan; Fang, Huiyong; Li, Zhijun; Li, Minhui (2020-09-01). "Advances and challenges in medicinal plant breeding". Plant Science. 298: 110573. doi:10.1016/j.plantsci.2020.110573. ISSN 0168-9452. PMID 32771174.
  3. ^ Bradshaw, John E. (2017). "Plant breeding: past, present and future". Euphytica. 213 (3). doi:10.1007/s10681-016-1815-y. ISSN 0014-2336.