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Alternative Strategies for Clonal Plant Reproduction

Geneve, R. L. International Plant Propagators' Society, combined proceedings 2006, 56:269-273. 2007.

Interestingly, plants have evolved unique alternative life cycles that bypass typical seed production in favor of clonal reproduction systems. This may seem counterintuitive because sexual reproduction should lead to greater genetic diversity in offspring compared to clonal plants. These sexual offspring should have a higher potential to adapt to new or changing environments, i.e., be more successful. However, investing in clonal reproduction seems to increase the likelihood that a species can colonize specific environmental niches.


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Author(s): R. L. Geneve

Section: Vegetative Propagation and Tissue Culture