Question

In vegetative propagation by tubers, which of the following characteristic/s remains constant through generations?
A) Morphology
B) Vigour only
C) Vigour and morphology only
D) Morphology, vigour and disease resistance

Answer 1

The main advantage of this method is that due to the presence of genetic material of a parent plant, the new plants that produce from it are the clones of the parent plant.

Complete answer:
New plants form from vegetative sections of the original plant, like the leaves, stems and roots, are developed by asexual plant propagation techniques. In general, these techniques are said as vegetative propagation. Many plants can naturally reproduce this route, but it is also possible to artificially induce vegetative propagation.

Now, let us find the solution from the options-
- Tubers are underground stems that live under the surface of the soil. They act as food and nutrient storage tissue, spreading new clones and perennials.
- In order to multiply their number by asexual replication or vegetative growth, plants use underground stems and live from one year to the next, typically over the span of dormancy.
- Axillary buds develop over the surface of the tuber and produce shoots that expand into a new plant, commonly known as 'eyes.'
- The greatest value of vegetative propagation is that the only parent's genetic material is transferred to the next generation. Thus the new plants are simply the mother plant's clones and hold the same morphology, vigour and resistance to disease as the mother plant.

Thus, the correct answer is option (D) Morphology, vigour and disease resistance.

Note: When an axillary bud grows into a lateral shoot and produces its own roots, called adventitious roots, natural vegetative propagation occurs. Bulbs, stolons, rhizomes, and tubers are the plant parts that allow natural vegetative propagation.