Sugarcane field. Image credit gov.ph

Sugarcane field. Image credit gov.ph

ZIMSEC O Level Combined Science Notes: Reproduction in plants: Advantages and disadvantages of vegetative (asexual) production

 

  • A lot of plants which grow using the vegetative method of reproduction are able to produce seeds
  • They use vegetative reproduction because it has certain advantages

Advantages

  • New plants are established over a large area quickly for example lawns
  • Young plants get food from the parent until they are established thus increasing their chances of survival
  • All the plants are the same i.e they are usually clones of their plants which is of immense value to seed growers
  • Only one plant is required

Disadvantages

  • Plants can quickly become overcrowded and have to fight for nutrients, water and light
  • There is little to no genetic variation  which means the young plants are still as susceptible to the same diseases as the parent plants

To access more topics go to the Combined Science Notes page.