In
plant physiology, apical dominance is the phenomenon whereby the main central
stem of the
plant is dominant over (i.e., grows more strongly than) other side stems, and on a branch, the main stem of the branch is further dominant over its own side branchlets.The apical bud (or tip) produces the growth
hormone auxin, which not only promotes
cell division, but also diffuses downwards and inhibits the development of lateral
bud growth which would otherwise compete with the apical tip for light and nutrients. Removing the apical tip and its suppressive hormone, allows the lower dormant lateral buds to develop, and the buds between the leaf stalk and stem produce new shoots which compete to become the lead growth. Manipulating this natural response to damage (known as the principle of apical dominance) by processes such as pruning (as well as
coppicing and
pollarding) allows the horticulturist to determine the shape, size and productivity of many fruiting trees and bushes.
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