Question

What will happen if terminal buds are removed form the plant?

• A. Plant dies
• B. The lateral buds grow profusely
• C. The roots die
• D. The shoot dies

Answer 1

The correct option is B

The lateral buds grow profusely

The apical bud produces an auxin that inhibits growth of the lateral buds further down on the stem towards the axillary bud. It was first discovered that the plant hormone auxin likely regulates apical dominance in 1934. Auxin is predominantly produced in the growing shoot apex and is transported throughout the plant via the phloem and diffuses into lateral buds which prevents elongation.

When the apical bud is removed, the lowered IAA concentration allows the lateral buds to grow and produce new shoots, which compete to become the lead growth.