Apical Dominance & Decapitation — NEET Biology
📚 Practice ConceptIn most higher plants, the growing apical bud inhibits the growth of the lateral (axillary) buds, a phenomenon called apical dominance. Removal of shoot tips (decapitation) usually results in the growth of lateral buds. It is widely applied in tea plantations and hedge-making. Can you explain why?
Assertion (A): Removal of shoot tips (decapitation) is a common practice in tea plantations and hedge-making. Reason (R): This practice results in the growth of lateral buds, overcoming apical dominance caused by the apical bud.
View solution & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
The question presents an assertion and a reason related to auxin's effect on apical dominance. Assertion (A): NCERT states, 'Removal of shoot tips (decapitation) usually results in the growth of lateral buds... It is widely applied in tea plantations and hedge-making.' This makes Assertion (A) true. Reason (R): NCERT explains apical dominance: 'In most higher plants, the growing apical bud inhibits the growth of the lateral (axillary) buds, a phenomenon called apical dominance.' When the apical bud is removed, this inhibition is lifted, leading to the growth of lateral buds. Therefore, the practice mentioned in A (decapitation) directly results in lateral bud growth by overcoming apical dominance, which is the desired outcome in tea plantations and hedge-making to produce a bushier plant. This makes Reason (R) true and a correct explanation for Assertion (A). Thus, both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
What does NCERT say about most higher plants growing?
Has this concept appeared in NEET?
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