Introduction to Plant Propagation
Seeds
Grafting
Cuttings
Division
Layering
Tissue
culture
Introduction to Plant Propagation
Agriculture began ~ 10,000 years ago
• Selection
• Propagation
• Production
• Handling and storage
• Food technology
Introduction to Plant Propagation
Organization of human societies
Ancient (7000 B.C.)
In Egypt and the Middle East
the agricultural sector was well
organized to produce food
(cereals, vegetables, fruits,
dates), fiber (flax, cotton).
Dates
Introduction to Plant Propagation
Organization of human societies
Ancient (7000 B.C.)
Early Chinese writings indicate
the knowledge of grafting,
layering, and other techniques,
although rice and millet were
the principal food sources.
Introduction to Plant Propagation
Organization of human societies
Ancient (7000 B.C.)
In the Americas, seed-propagated
crops (maize, beans, cucurbits,
squash) as well as vegetatively
propagated crops (potato, cassava,
sweet potato, pineapple) were
developed and grown.
Cassava
Pineapple
Introduction to Plant Propagation
Organization of human societies
Greek and Roman
(500 B.C. to AD 1000)
Vegetables were grown near the
home as were many fruits (grape,
fig, apple, pear, cherry, plum).
Figs
Grapes
Introduction to Plant Propagation
Organization of human societies
Greek and Roman
(500 B.C. to AD 1000)
Theophrastus was a Greek
philosopher (300 BC) and
disciple of Aristotle.
He described many aspects of
plant propagation in his two
books :
Historia de Plantis
and
De Causis Plantarum.
Introduction to Plant Propagation
Organization of human societies
Greek and Roman
(500 B.C. to AD 1000)
Theophrastus must be considered
the first seed biologist. He
described seed dispersal in pines.
"While the cones are still fast to
the trees, the seeds leap forth
and leave them empty."
Introduction to Plant Propagation
Organization of human societies
Greek and Roman
(500 B.C. to AD 1000)
The Roman, Columella (ca. 1 AD) in his book “De re rustica”
describes taking mallet stem cuttings in grape in great detail.
Introduction to Plant Propagation
Organization of human societies
Medieval Period
(A.D. 750 to 1500)
Society was organized around
large estates, manor houses,
and castles with landlords
providing protection.
Large areas of forest were
kept as game preserves.
Introduction to Plant Propagation
Organization of human societies
Medieval Period
(A.D. 750 to 1500)
Society was organized around
large estates, manor houses,
and castles with landlords
providing protection.
Large areas of forest were
kept as game preserves.
Introduction to Plant Propagation
Organization of human societies
Medieval Period
(A.D. 750 to 1500)
Equally important were the
monasteries that acted as
independent agricultural and
industrial organizations and
preserved a great deal of the
written and unwritten knowledge.
Introduction to Plant Propagation
Robert Sharrock
1672
In a single figure from the
“History of the Propagation and
Improvement of Vegetables”,
Sharrock demonstrates that
most current grafting and
budding techniques were in
practice in the 1600’s.
Introduction to Plant Propagation
Philip Miller
Gardener’s Dictionary
1754
Introduction to Plant Propagation
Charles Baltet
The Art of Grafting and Budding
1821
Introduction to Plant Propagation
Charles Baltet
The Art of Grafting and Budding
1821
Introduction to Plant Propagation
The Nursery Book
1891
Cyclopedia of American Horticulture
1900
Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture
1914
Liberty Hyde Bailey
1858-1954
Introduction to Plant Propagation
Scientific
American Society for Horticultural Science
International Society for Horticultural Science
International Seed Science Society
Seeds
American Seed Trade Association
Association of Official Seed Analysts
International Seed Testing Association
Nursery
AmericanHort (greenhouse and nursery association)
International Plant Propagator’s Society
Southern Nursery Association
Introduction to Plant Propagation
Professional society student memberships
American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS.org)
http://www.ashs.org/?page=student
International Plant Propagator’s Society (IPPS.org)
http://fs16.formsite.com/IPPSER/form12/index.html