Reproduction in Plants: Biology and Physiology

The process of reproduction in plants involves the production of new offspring. There are two modes of reproduction in plants, namely, sexual and asexual reproduction. The process of sexual reproduction involves the fusion of gametes that results in offspring being genetically different from the parent plants. Meiosis and fertilization are two fundamental processes involved in sexual reproduction. In asexual reproduction, offspring are produced without the fusion of gametes. Asexual reproduction results in the formation of genetically identical offspring. Budding, fragmentation, spore formation, regeneration and vegetative propagation are different ways of asexual reproduction in plants. The most common form of plant reproduction technique used by cultivators is the use of seeds. Asexual techniques such as cutting, grafting, budding, layering, division, and sectioning of rhizomes, roots, tubers and bulbs, are used to produce desirable characteristics that are usually not obtained from seeds. This book outlines the biology and physiology of plant reproduction in detail. It aims to equip students and experts with the advanced topics and upcoming concepts in this area of study.