Final answer:
Vegetative propagation is the type of reproduction where a strawberry plant creates new plants by growing additional stem scolt runners at or just below the surface of the soil.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reproductive process you described is known as vegetative propagation. In this method, strawberry plants generate new individuals by developing stem-like structures called runners, extending at or just below the soil surface. These runners, also known as stolons, produce daughter plants with genetic characteristics identical to the parent plant. Vegetative propagation in strawberries is a form of asexual reproduction, allowing the plant to efficiently multiply and colonize a given area. This method is advantageous for growers, as it preserves desirable traits in successive generations without relying on seeds. Additionally, it enables the rapid expansion of strawberry populations through the natural spread of these runners.