Question

The underground stem of some plants such as grasses, strawberry is concerned with
(a) Perennation.
(b) Vegetative propagation.
(c) Moisture absorption.
(d) Food assimilation.
(e) Spread to new niches.

• A. (a), (b), and (e)
• B. (b), (c), and (e)
• C. (a), (e), and (d)
• D. All except (d)

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

An asexual process of plant reproduction that occurs in various parts of the plant such as its leaves, roots, and stem is known as vegetative reproduction. Vegetative reproduction occurs through the methods such as fragmentation and regeneration of specific vegetative parts of plants. Some plants adapt to the stem modification system in which the adventitious stem that is derived from stem tissue exists partially under the soil surface and partially above. These modified stems play several roles such as food and nutrients storage tissue, production of new clones, and survival from one growing season to the other (perennation). The capability of plants to persist from one germinating season to another (especially under unfavourable conditions) is known as perennation. It requires the development of a perennating organ, which could store sufficient nutrients to support the organism during the unfavourable season, and grows into new plants the following year.
In plants such as grass and strawberry, the underground stems reach new areas and subsequently give rise to new plants as the older plants perish and thereby spread to the new niche. This type of modification is commonly known as a runner.