Sexual vs Asexual propagation

Propagation is the method of multiplying plant species .There two ways of doing it, either by seed or vegetative propagation.As an Agribusiness, a farmer would want a method that bears the most economic benefits of  one that yields high quality produce.

Source:grow.spogagafa.com

 Sexual propagation i.e seed propagation  is the use of seed in order to generate new species.For one the seed must be viable and non-dormant. Also favourable environmental conditions such adequate water and light must be provided. The advantages of seed propagation include:

       A farmer can be able to propagate in mass production

       It is an important way of developing new cultivars.


A farmer can also choose vegetative propagation which is the production of anew entire plant from the vegetative part of the mother plant.Although it can be expensive it has a number of benefits such as;

 Maintenance of clones- this is very advantageous if the mother plant has very good genetic characteristics that a farmer would want to retain

Propagation of seedless material. Some plants do not have viable seeds such as bananas and by vegetative propagation one is able to grow a new banana plant.

Combination of clones. This is important for adaptation to soil conditions, plant disease resistance and utilisation of  useful plant traits

Avoid long maturity periods or juvenile periods.

Control growth form. One is able to eliminate undesirable morphological conditions usually formed during juvenile period.

Source:en.wikipedia.com

The disadvantage of asexual propagation is that disease from mother plant are easily transmitted to the next plant generation.Also somaclonal variations may be formed due to off types

Depending on the requirements of a farmer for his plantation either method is useful. Considering which is more viable  for your farm, you be the judge.Maybe gauging the merits and demerits will help.

P.S An article on methods of vegetative propagation will soon be published.