UPSC Prelims 2014 Question:

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the vegetative propagation of plants?

1. Vegetative propagation produces a 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:

Explanation:

Asexual propagation is also called ‘vegetative propagation’. The vegetative parts of a plant like a leaf, stem, root, or their modified forms are used for propagation. Most horticultural crops are commercially propagated by vegetative or asexual methods of propagation. Merits of asexual propagation. 

• Vegetative propagation or vegetative reproduction is the growth and development of a plant by asexual means. Although it does not relate to or help in eliminating any sort of viruses. So, Statement 2 is not correct.
  
  
• Plant cutting, also known as striking or cloning, is a technique for vegetatively (asexually) propagating plants in which a piece of the stem or root of the source plant is placed in a suitable medium such as moist soil, potting mix, coir or rock wool. Also, it can be practiced most of the year. So, statements 1 and 3 are correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (3) is the correct answer. 

Subject: Environment | Plant and Animal Anatomy