What method can be used to create new plants from existing ones without sexual reproduction?

The method used to create new plants from existing ones without sexual reproduction is vegetative propagation. This technique involves the use of plant parts such as stems, leaves, or roots to produce new individuals that are genetically identical to the parent plant. It allows for the replication of desirable traits and offers a reliable way to produce uniform plants.

Vegetative propagation can include various techniques like cuttings, layering, and dividing, which enable plants to reproduce asexually. This method is particularly common in horticulture for producing houseplants, shrubs, and fruit trees, as it ensures that the new plants retain the same characteristics as their progenitors.

In contrast, hybridization refers to combining genetic material from two different plants to create a new hybrid, which involves sexual reproduction. Seed germination pertains to the process of seeds sprouting into new plants, which is also a form of sexual reproduction. Cloning, while similar to vegetative propagation, is a broader term that encompasses any method of producing genetically identical organisms, including but not limited to, tissue culture and cuttings. However, in the context of creating new plants specifically from existing ones asexually, vegetative propagation is the most precise term.