Propagation Techniques in Horticultural Crops Horticulture Vanangamudi K Competitive examination Sexual Propagation (By Seeds) in Horticultural Crops Asexual (Vegetative) Propagation in Horticultural Crops Micropropagation (Tissue Culture) in Horticultural Crops Significance of Propagation Techniques in Horticulture with Examples

1. PROPAGATION TECHNIQUES
IN HORTICULTURAL CROPS
Dr. K. VANANGAMUDI
Former Dean (Agriculture),
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
 Propagation is the process of multiplying plants and preserving their essential
characteristics.
 In horticulture, propagation can be done by sexual and asexual (vegetative) methods.
1. Sexual Propagation (By Seeds)
 Involves the use of seeds for plant multiplication.
 It promotes genetic variation.
Advantages
 Easy and economical
 Genetic diversity improves adaptability
 Long storage life of seeds
Disadvantages
 Long juvenile phase (slow maturity)
 Genetic variation leads to non-uniformity

2.  Not suitable for maintaining true-to-type varieties
Examples
 Papaya
 Tomato
 Brinjal
 Citrus (for rootstocks)
2. Asexual (Vegetative) Propagation
 Reproduction using vegetative parts (root, stem, leaf, bud) without involving seeds.
 Maintains the genetic makeup of the parent plant (clonal propagation).
a) Cuttings
 Using a part of the plant (stem/root/leaf) to regenerate a new plant.
Type Description Example
Stem cutting Part of stem planted in soil Rose, Bougainvillea
Root cutting Root section planted Guava, Apple
Leaf cutting Leaf or part of leaf used Bryophyllum, Begonia
b) Layering
 Inducing roots while the shoot is still attached to the mother plant.
Type Description Example
Simple layering Bending a branch into the soil Guava, Lemon
Mound layering Soil mounded around shoot base Apple, Mango
Air layering Bark removed and wrapped with moist material Litchi, Pomegranate
c) Grafting
 Joining parts of two different plants so they grow as one.
Type Description Example
Tongue grafting Interlocking cuts on stock and scion Apple
Cleft grafting Scion inserted into a split stock Mango

3. Type Description Example
Veneer grafting A flap of bark used Sapota
Epicotyl grafting Performed on seedlings Mango
d) Budding
 A bud from a desired plant is inserted into the rootstock.
Type Description Example
T-budding T-shaped cut made in stock Rose, Citrus
Patch budding Rectangular patch replaced Rubber, Mango
Ring budding Ring of bark replaced Peach
e) Micropropagation (Tissue Culture)
 Regeneration of plants from tissues or cells in a sterile lab environment.
Advantages
 Mass multiplication of elite plants
 Disease-free plants
 Off-season production
Examples
 Banana
 Orchids
 Pineapple
 Gerbera
Significance of Propagation Techniques in Horticulture with Examples
Significance Explanation Examples
1. Rapid Multiplication
of Plants
Enables fast mass production
of desirable plants.
Banana, Sugarcane through tissue
culture.
2. Preservation of
Genetic Identity
Maintains true-to-type plants
with uniform traits.
Rose, Jasmine, and Mango by
grafting or cutting.

4. Significance Explanation Examples
3. Improved Plant
Health and Vigor
Combines vigorous
rootstocks with superior
scions.
Grafting Guava on disease-
resistant rootstocks.
4. Shortens Juvenile
Phase
Reduces time to flowering
and fruiting.
Mango and Citrus propagated by
grafting bear fruit earlier than
seedlings.
5. Economical and
Efficient
Requires simple tools, low
cost.
Hibiscus and Bougainvillea by
stem cuttings.
6. Propagation of
Seedless and Sterile
Plants
Essential for crops that don’t
produce viable seeds.
Banana, Grapes, Pineapple by
suckers, cuttings.
7. Conservation of Rare
and Endangered Species
Helps preserve valuable
germplasm.
Wild orchids, endangered
medicinal plants via tissue culture.
8. Facilitates Hybrid
Production
Merges traits from different
varieties.
Tomato, Brinjal hybrids via
grafting.
9. Overcomes Seed
Dormancy and
Germination Issues
Bypasses slow or poor
germination.
Litchi and Amla by air-layering or
budding.
10. Promotes
Commercial
Horticulture
Increases productivity and
profitability.
Large-scale production of
ornamental plants like Coleus and
Chrysanthemum.