Apical Dominance

Apical dominance is the process by which the main, central stem of a plant suppresses the growth of its side branches or buds nearby. The top part of the plant produces hormones called auxins that travel downward, signaling the lower buds to stay dormant. This focus on growing upwards allows the plant to reach for sunlight efficiently. When the tip of the stem is removed or damaged, the production of these hormones decreases, freeing the side buds to grow and develop into new branches. This mechanism helps plants control their shape and optimize their overall growth.