Question

Vegetative propagation in Pistia occurs by
A. Stolon
B. Offset
C. Runner
D. Sucker

Answer 1

Hint:- Pistia is an aquatic plant. It is commonly known as water lettuce. It has other names such as water cabbage, Nile cabbage, and shellflower. It resembles the head of lettuce. Pistia belongs to the arum family, Araceae. Pistia is a free-floating plant herb. The leaves are present in a rosette and are gray-green.

Complete Answer:- Vegetative propagation is the process by which new plants are grown through asexual reproduction. In vegetative propagation, the new plant grows as a part of the parent plant through a specialized reproductive structure.
In pistia, this specialized structure is the offset. Pistia propagates through offsets that arise from the main branch. This new branch is capable of independent existence. The branch bears leaves at the top and roots at the lower portion. This daughter offset can break from the parent plant and grows into a new plant.
While the offset is attached to the parent plant, it receives its nutritional and water requirements from the parent plant. As the daughter plant breaks off from the parent plant, it is carried away along with the water currents away from the parent where, if conditions are favorable, the daughter offset can grow into a new mature plant.

So the correct answer is Option (B) - Offset

Note:- Through vegetative propagation, plants reproduce asexually. It is a natural process. But, it can also be induced artificially where the daughter offset can be cut and manually planted at a different site and given proper environmental and nutritional conditions. Pistia is also capable of sexual reproduction through seeds. If vegetative propagation occurs naturally, the chances are that the plant may not receive proper environmental conditions and may not survive.