Vegetative propagation plays a vital role in

Options

A. sericulture
B. apiculture
C. sylviculture
D. horticulture

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution

1. **Understanding Vegetative Propagation**:
- Vegetative propagation is a form of asexual reproduction in plants where a part of the plant (like a stem, leaf, or root) detaches from the parent plant and develops into a new, independent plant.

2. **Identifying the Role of Vegetative Propagation**:
- The question asks about the vital role of vegetative propagation. It is essential to analyze the provided options to determine which one relates to plant propagation.

3. **Evaluating the Options**:
- **Option A: Sericulture**: This refers to the cultivation of silkworms for silk production. It does not involve plants directly, so it is incorrect.
- **Option B: Apiculture**: This is the practice of keeping bees for honey and wax production. Like sericulture, it does not involve plants, making it incorrect.
- **Option C: Silviculture**: This involves the growing and management of forests and trees. While it relates to plants, it does not specifically focus on the methods of vegetative propagation.
- **Option D: Horticulture**: This is the branch of agriculture that deals with garden crops, including fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. Horticulture often employs methods of vegetative propagation such as cutting, layering, and grafting.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Since horticulture extensively uses vegetative propagation techniques to cultivate desirable plants, the correct answer is **Option D: Horticulture**.