What is the most common method of sexual plant propagation?

The most common method of sexual plant propagation is the use of seeds. This process involves the fertilization of an ovule, which leads to the formation of a seed that contains the genetic material from both parent plants. By planting seeds, a new plant can grow that is genetically diverse, allowing for the potential development of new traits and adaptations. This method is foundational for many agricultural practices and supports biodiversity in ecosystems since seeds can often be dispersed over great distances by natural means.

In contrast, cuttings involve taking a part of a plant and allowing it to root and grow as a new plant, which is a form of asexual propagation. Layering is another type of asexual propagation where parts of a plant are encouraged to root while still attached to the parent plant. Grafting combines parts from two plants, where the stalk of one plant is joined with the root system of another, also an asexual method. While these techniques have valuable uses, they do not contribute to genetic diversity in the same way that seed propagation does. Thus, seed propagation emerges as the most prevalent and natural form of plant reproduction.