The correct answer is Grafting. • Plant propagation • It can be defined as the multiplication or reproduction of plants. • Plants can be propagated by sexual and asexual means. • Sexual means include propagation by seeds, while asexual propagation is based on the utilisation of vegetative parts of plants for raising new ones. • Types plant propagation • Grafting • The method of joining parts of two plants in a manner that they form a unit and function as one plant is known as ‘grafting’. • Advantages of grafting • Plants propagated by grafting are true-to-type, and bear flowers and fruits early. • The plants can be multiplied and preserved by grafting. • Wounded or damaged tree trunks can be repaired by special grafting methods. • Disadvantages of grafting • It requires a specialized skill. • It is an expensive method of propagation. • New varieties cannot be developed by grafting. • Plants produced through grafting are short-lived as compared to plants propagated by seeds. • Cutting is a detached vegetative part of a plant, which on separation and planting is able to regenerate the missing parts and develop itself into a new plant. • It is an inexpensive and quick method of propagation. • The method is named after the part of the plant used for cutting, e.g., stem, root, and leaf. • Layering • It is an attached method of propagation. • In this method, roots are allowed to develop on the covered portion of the stem while still being attached to the mother plant. • Such root stem is known as ‘layer’. • Budding • Budding is the process of inserting a single mature scion bud into the stem (rootstock) in a way that results into a union and continues to grow as a new plant. • It is also a type of grafting.