Plant reproduction

When we try to classify plants according to their type of reproduction, there are two main types of plant reproduction : asexual and sexual reproduction. There is an enormous variety in their methods and forms of reproduction, but these are the two main types that classify them.

Sexual reproduction in plants

Sexual reproduction occurs from the genetic material of two parent subjects, in which the gametes unite : one female and one male. It is the most common reproduction among plants and, in fact, the reproduction of plants by seeds is almost always sexual.

This type of plant reproduction can occur by allogamy, which is when that fertilization occurs between two different plants by means of the wind or pollinating insects and other animals that pollinate, or by autogamy, which is when the plant itself fertilizes itself .

Asexual reproduction in plants

Asexual reproduction, on the other hand, has its origin in a process of cellular mitosis and gives rise to a new individual exactly like its progenitor. It occurs mainly in non-vascular plants and can occur by spores, propagules or by human hands, in the form of vegetative multiplication.

In this other AgroCorrn article we will show you more about Plants with asexual reproduction: characteristics and examples .

The reproduction of flowering plants depends on three processes: pollination, fertilization and germination .

Flower pollination

Flower pollination is the necessary passage of pollen between different plants. This step can occur by the action of agents such as wind or water, or by pollinating living beings , which are generally insects, although it is sometimes taken by birds, such as hummingbirds, or small mammals. The flowers attract pollinating insects with their colors and scents and when they come to feed on nectar , these insects become impregnated with pollen. When they travel later to feed on other flowers, they transport the pollen there and the next phase can occur: fertilization.

Fertilization in plants

When a pollen grain falls off the stigma of a pistil, a zygote is formed, which is nothing other than the embryo of the new plant . It is a first cell that will begin to divide and grow, protected and fed by the plant itself, which will give it a hard cover: a seed is created .

A fruit will also grow around the seed, which will protect the seed and provide it with necessary substances and nutrients. This fruit, usually designed to attract animals and be consumed, will end up either falling to the ground, or being transported far away by one of its predators, thus giving its seeds greater possibilities of propagation.

Plant germination

Once the seed falls on fertile soil and in the right conditions, the germination phase begins, which is when the seed opens and forms roots and a sprout, that is, the new plant . The seeds are very hardy and can wait long amounts of time for conditions to germinate.

Flowering plants, depending on their reproduction, can be divided into gymnosperms and angiosperms . Here you can find more information about this classification of plant reproduction:

• Gymnosperm plants: what are they, characteristics and examples .
• Angiosperm plants: what are they, characteristics and examples .

The flowerless plants reproduce differently because they do not have flowers or seeds. Ferns or mosses , for example, are plants that reproduce by spores as follows:

1. The spores are stored on the underside of the leaves in sachets called sori, as seen in the image below. These only open when the weather is dry, letting the wind carry the tiny and very light spores.
2. When the spore falls to the ground, it receives the necessary conditions of humidity and temperature, it will germinate giving rise to a gametophyte: a small plant with both female and male sexual organs.
3. The rainwater will transport the male cells of this gametophyte to another female one and, when this fertilization occurs, a new individual of the species will emerge.

It is important to note that gametophytes are very small plants and that they are not adult specimens of their species and, furthermore, their only function is to be part of the reproduction of the plant. Thus, a fern gametophyte is not a fern, but a part of the process of reproduction by spores.

Apart from this, we want to clarify that non-flowering plants can be divided into bryophytes and pteridophytes . In these other articles you can know in detail the Bryophyte Plants: examples and characteristics and the Pteridophyte Plants: what they are, types and examples .

In addition, to expand this information and learn more about the life of plants, we recommend these other posts about The cycle of plants and Classes of plants . Also here below you can see a video of the reproduction of the plants .