Question

If the growing plant is decapitated, then

• A. its growth stops
• B. leaves become yellow and fall down
• C. axillary buds are inactivated
• D. axillary buds are activated.

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Decapitating a growing plant means removing shoot apex of the plant. Auxin, a growth promoting phytohormone present in apex inhibits the growth of axillary buds so that only the apex continues to grow. When the apex containing auxin is removed or decapitation is done, then axillary buds show their growth, this is because the apical dominance is i removed. This practice of removal of apical dominance is applied in tea gardens, hedges, rose gardens etc.