Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding vegetative propagation of plants? 1. Vegetative propagation produces clonal population. 2. Vegetative propagation helps in eliminating the virus. 3. Vegetative propagation can be practiced most of the year. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Vegetative propagation is a form of asexual reproduction in plants, where new plants grow from vegetative parts like stems, roots, or leaves, without the involvement of seeds or spores. Let's analyze the statements:

Vegetative propagation produces clonal population: This statement is correct. Since vegetative propagation does not involve genetic recombination through gametes, the offspring produced are genetically identical to the parent plant. This results in a 'clonal population,' meaning all plants are exact copies of the original. Vegetative propagation helps in eliminating the virus: This statement is generally incorrect. If the parent plant is infected with a virus, the progeny produced through standard vegetative propagation methods (like cuttings, layering, grafting) will also likely carry the virus. While specialized techniques like meristem culture (a type of tissue culture) can sometimes produce virus-free plants from infected ones, it is not a general property of all vegetative propagation methods. Vegetative propagation can be practiced most of the year: This statement is correct. Unlike sexual reproduction, which is often tied to specific flowering and fruiting seasons, many vegetative propagation methods can be carried out throughout a significant portion of the year, depending on the plant species and environmental conditions. This offers flexibility to nurseries and cultivators. Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct.