Which of the following is a method of asexual reproduction in plants?

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which option is a method of asexual reproduction in plants. Asexual reproduction involves only one parent, with no fusion of gametes, so the offspring are genetically identical to the parent (clones).

Step 2: Explain the concept

• Sexual reproduction in plants involves flowers, pollination, fertilization (fusion of male and female gametes), and seed formation.
• Asexual reproduction produces new plants from parts of the parent plant, such as stems, roots, or leaves, with no gametes involved.

Step 3: Evaluate each option

• A. Pollination: This is the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma. It is part of sexual reproduction.
• B. Vegetative propagation: New plants grow from vegetative parts of the parent, such as yam tubers, cassava stem cuttings, sweet potato, onion bulbs, and ginger rhizomes. No gametes are involved, so this is asexual.
• C. Seed dispersal: This is the spreading of seeds away from the parent plant. Seeds come from sexual reproduction, so this is not asexual.
• D. Fertilization: This is the fusion of male and female gametes to form a zygote. It is the core of sexual reproduction.

Step 4: Answer The correct answer is **B.

Tip: Ask yourself, "Are gametes involved?" If yes (pollination, fertilization, seed formation and dispersal), it is sexual. If a new plant grows from a part of the parent, such as a stem, leaf, root, tuber, or bulb, it is asexual. A Nigerian example you can remember: planting cassava stem cuttings or yam setts is vegetative propagation.