The form of propagule, i.e., whether they are seed or clone (asexually or vegetatively
propagated materials such as cuttings, marcots, grafts, tubers, corms, suckers, slips,
tissue culture seedlings) could spell the degree of genetic uniformity of the plants or
trees in a population. Clones are genetically uniform having come from the mother
tissue. They did not undergo sexual reproduction or fertilization to produce a true
seed and a different individual. They may be the more feasible form of propagation
for some difficult-to-seed species, where the same characteristics as the mother is
desired and/or when shorter time is desired to bear fruits. However, they have
generally shorter life span than plants from seeds.
Some seeds, referred to as apomicts as opposed to true seeds, are produced without
fertilization (e.g., many forage grasses). Others, such as mango and citrus species,
have polyembryonic seeds producing several embryos one of which is sexual and the
others, clones.
Genetic uniformity of true seeds varies depending on the type, i.e., whether they are
hybrids or open-pollinated. Hybrids are seeds or plants produced through highly
controlled pollination. They are highly uniform and generally expensive. Unlike
clones, they cannot be authentically recycled, although may be asexually propagated.
This is because plants from their seeds or the succeeding generations are highly
variable and different from the original hybrid variety. Open pollinated plants or
seeds, on the other hand, are produced through natural crossing and composed of
more variable plants in a population. In nature, many species, such as cabbage,
carrots, cucurbits, onions, corn and many fruit and forest species, are of this type.
Such plants could be recycled, unlike hybrids.
Naturally self-pollinating species, such as rice, many legumes, tomato, pepper and
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