A plant reproducing without genetic contribution from a second parent is described as

• A. Vegetative propagation
• B. Sexual reproduction
• C. Cloning
• D. Meiosis

Answer: (A)

Reproduction without a second parent is an asexual form of plant reproduction known as vegetative propagation. In this process, new plants arise from non-sexual parts of the parent—such as stems, roots, or leaves—without fertilization, so there is no genetic input from another individual. The offspring are typically genetically identical to the parent, which is why this method is so useful for preserving desirable traits. This differs from sexual reproduction, which requires gametes from two parents and involves genetic recombination. Meiosis is the division that produces those gametes and is part of sexual reproduction, not this asexual method. Cloning describes making genetically identical copies, which relates to vegetative propagation in plants, but the term most directly describing the described process is vegetative propagation.