Chapter 3: Vegetative Reproduction
3.5 Summary
In this chapter we focused our discussion on ways plants can vegetatively reproduce instead of utilizing seeds. Five different vegetative propagule types were explored, as well as some examples of each. We concluded the chapter by applying some of these concepts to help design effective weed control strategies.
Key Takeaways
Key takeaways from this chapter include:
- Vegetative propagules can help weeds spread more quickly and effectively than just seed alone.
- Modified stems include: rhizomes, stolons, and tubers
- Modified leaves include : bulbs
- Modified roots have adventitious buds and store carbohydrates.
- Sucrose switch effect occurs when a perennial is defoliated. When leaves are no longer available to supply sucrose, the plant utilizes stored sucrose in modified roots to generate new plants from adventitious buds.
- Ecological succession is the concept that changes to a community of plants in an environment occur in a predictable pattern after a disturbance (farming, flood, fire, etc.). Different farming practices influence ecological succession. For example, conventional tillage causes new disturbances each year, while no-till minimizes disturbances in the field’s environment and ecological succession pattern.
- Vegetative reproduction methods, sucrose switch effect and ecological succession are all important considerations when designing an effective weed management plan.