Question

How does pruning help in making the hedge dense?

• A. It induces the differentiation of new shoots from the rootstock
• B. It frees axillary buds from apical dominance
• C. The apical shoot grows faster after pruning
• D. It released wound hormones

Answer 1

The correct option is B

It frees axillary buds from apical dominance

Pruning is the process of cutting shoot tips to promote the lateral growth of branches. Removal of shoot tips involves removal of apical buds. In the shoot tips, auxins are produced. Auxins are growth promoting phytohormones. They cause apical dominance by promoting the growth of apical buds and suppressing the growth of axillary buds. So when the auxins produced in the shoot tips are removed by decapitation it results in lateral growth and plants thus show bushy appearance. This is because of the relatively high concentration of auxin in the apical bud than in the lateral buds.