Science — CBSE Class 10 board question

Vegetative propagation is practised for growing only some types of plants due to the following reasons:

1. Lost seed capacity: Some plants like banana, orange, rose, and jasmine have lost the capacity to produce seeds, so they can only be propagated vegetatively.

1. Earlier bearing: Plants raised by vegetative propagation bear flowers and fruits earlier than those grown from seeds.

1. Genetically identical offspring: All plants produced are genetically similar to the parent plant, preserving desirable characteristics.

1. Methods used: Techniques like layering and grafting are used for plants such as sugarcane, roses, and grapes.

Thus, vegetative propagation is useful and necessary for plants that cannot reproduce by seeds or where maintaining parent traits is important.

Source: Chapter 7, Section 7.2.5 – Vegetative Propagation

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The examiner expects you to give specific reasons with examples (banana, rose, jasmine for lost seed capacity; sugarcane, grapes for agricultural use). Three clear points with examples score full marks. Do not just define vegetative propagation — the question asks why it is practised only for some plants, so focus on advantages and limitations that make it suitable selectively.