How does vegetative growth differ from reproductive growth?

Vegetative growth and reproductive growth are two distinct phases in a plant’s life cycle, each serving a different purpose.

Here’s a simple comparison:

1. Purpose:
   • Vegetative Growth: Focuses on building the plant’s body — roots, stems, and leaves.
   • Reproductive Growth: Focuses on producing flowers, fruits, and seeds for reproduction.
2. Main Activities:
   • Vegetative Growth:
     • Formation of new leaves, branches, and roots.
     • Increases the plant’s size and photosynthetic capacity.
   • Reproductive Growth:
     • Formation of flower buds, blossoms, fruits, and seeds.
     • Energy shifts from growth to reproduction.
3. Meristem Involvement:
   • Vegetative Growth: Occurs at apical meristems (tips of roots and shoots).
   • Reproductive Growth: Occurs when the shoot apical meristem transforms into a floral meristem that produces flowers.
4. Hormonal Control:
   • Vegetative Growth: Regulated mainly by auxins, gibberellins, and cytokinins, which promote cell division and elongation.
   • Reproductive Growth: Controlled by florigen, gibberellins, and ethylene, which trigger flowering and fruit formation.
5. Energy Use:
   • Vegetative Growth: Energy is used for growth and storage (building leaves and stems).
   • Reproductive Growth: Energy is redirected to flower and seed production.
6. Duration:
   • Vegetative Growth: Occurs in the early and middle parts of a plant’s life.
   • Reproductive Growth: Begins after vegetative maturity and continues until seed formation.

In short:

• Vegetative growth = growth of body (roots, stems, leaves)
• Reproductive growth = formation of flowers, fruits, and seeds

Vegetative growth helps the plant build strength and resources, while reproductive growth ensures the continuation of the species.