The differences between asexual and sexual reproduction are given in the following table:

Asexual reproduction:

(i) Asexual reproduction involves the participation of single individual parent.

(ii) It generally occurs without the involvement of sex organs.

(iii) It does not involve meiosis or reduction division.

(iv) Asexual reproduction does not involve sexual fusion or fusion of two gametes. Zygotes are not formed.

(v) Since asexual reproduction does not involve meiosis and fusion of gametes the offspring are genetically similar to parents and they do not show variations.

(vi) It is a very quick method of multiplication and, therefore, used by plant breeders for cloning.

(vii) Since there is no variations, so it does not contribute to evolution of the species.

Sexual reproduction:

(i) Sexual reproduction involves participations of two separate parents.

(ii) It usually involves the sex organs.

(iii) It involves meiosis which occurs at the time of gamete formation.

(iv) The sexual reproduction requires fertilisation to take place between two opposite gametes leading to the production of a zygote.

(v) The individuals are produced as a result of meiosis and gametic fusion, so exhibit genetic variation and differ from either of the two parents.

(vi) It is a very slow method of multiplication of individuals.

(vii) Since there are variations, so it contributes to evolution of the species.

As vegetative reproduction does not involve two parents and any meiosis and syngamy so it is considered as a type of asexual reproduction. This term is used in the case of plants.