======Asexual Reproduction of Onion======


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**Alternative titles:** Growing an Onion in Water
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  - Take a healthy onion bulb.  
  - Insert several toothpicks around its middle so that it can rest securely on the rim of a jar.  
  - Fill the jar with water until the base of the onion just touches the water surface.  
  - Place the setup in a dark cupboard or shaded area.  
  - Over the next few weeks, observe the base of the onion for new root growth and the top for sprouting shoots.  
  - Record or photograph any visible changes in growth.  
  - After several weeks, describe the appearance of the roots and shoots and identify the method of reproduction taking place.



====Links==== 
Growing Onions - Experiment - Huw Richards: 
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====Variations====
  * Repeat the same setup using a clove of garlic or a piece of potato.  
  * Try placing the onion in different lighting conditions to see how light affects growth.  
  * Compare results between onions with and without the outer dry layers removed.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Handle toothpicks carefully to avoid injury.  
  * Use clean jars and change the water regularly to prevent mold or odor.  
  * Wash hands after handling plant materials.




====Questions to Consider====
  * What type of reproduction is taking place in this demonstration? (Vegetative or asexual reproduction.)  
  * Which part of the onion produces new roots and shoots? (The basal plate produces roots; the central part produces shoots.)  
  * Why is it important that the onion base just touches the water? (Too much water can cause rotting, while too little prevents root growth.)  
  * How does the onion obtain energy for initial growth? (It uses stored nutrients in the bulb.)