What is vegetative reproduction ? Describe any three natural methods of vegetative reproduction with examples.

Explanation

Vegetative Reproduction : Reproduction which occurs with the help of vegetative organs like root, stem, leaf or bud is called vegetative reproduction. Natural methods of vegetative reproduction : The following are some of the natural methods of vegetative reproduction :
1. By tuberous roots : In some plants, roots are swollen due to the storage of food material, such roots are called tuberous roots. These roots bear adventitious buds on their surface which under favourable conditions sprout to produce leafy shoots called slips. The sprouts are separated and planted for commercial cultivation. The tuberous roots are seen in sweet potato.
2. By runners : The runner is a slender and prostrate sub-aerial branch which creeps horizontally on the ground and becomes rooted at the nodes. Shoots which are produced from the upper side of the nodes, get detached from the parent plant and grow as independent plants. e.g., Cynodon, Fragaria.
3. By leaf buds : In plants such as Bryophyllum and Begonia, vegetative reproduction occurs with the help of leaf buds. The leaf bears buds in its notched margins. These buds sprout on the leaf to form leafy shoots and adventitious roots which on separation fall on the wet soil and develop into new plants.