Inheritance in plants is the process by which traits and characteristics are passed from parent plants to their offspring through genes.
Every plant has genes made up of DNA, which carry instructions for traits such as flower color, leaf shape, height, fruit type, and resistance to diseases. These genes are found on chromosomes inside the plant’s cells.
When plants reproduce—either sexually (using seeds) or asexually (through cuttings, tubers, or runners)—they transfer their genetic information to the next generation.
In sexual reproduction, offspring receive half of their genes from the male parent (pollen) and half from the female parent (ovule). This creates new combinations of traits and increases genetic diversity.
In asexual reproduction, offspring are genetically identical to the parent, meaning traits are passed on exactly without variation.
Inheritance follows patterns described by Gregor Mendel, who showed that traits are controlled by pairs of factors (now called genes) that segregate and assort during reproduction.
Some traits follow simple Mendelian inheritance, where one gene controls one trait, while others follow complex inheritance, involving multiple genes and environmental influences.
In summary, inheritance in plants is the transmission of genetic information from parents to offspring, determining how traits appear and vary across generations. It forms the basis of plant breeding, evolution, and adaptation.