Apical dominance

Under the suppression of the apical growth of side shoots is to be understood by the main engine in plants. It is particularly pronounced in plants that grow in the shade of other plants and have a shadow escape.

The primary shoot of the plant is first formed by the activity of the primary Sprossapikalmeristems (SAM ). Runners, also called secondary axes, going from secondary meristems in the axils of scale leaves out. After installation of these secondary meristems whose outgrowth is however often suppressed to side branches by the primary shoot tip. This is particularly evident when the primary shoot tip is removed manually. Immediately after removing the side shoots break through their dormancy and begin growth.

This effect, sometimes over a greater distance within the plant is mediated by the plant hormone auxin. Auxin produced in the shoot tip and transported down the plant body. This suppresses side shoot development in the lower part of the plant. After removal of the primary shoot tip the Auxinquelle and side shoots begin to grow out omitted. If an offset with auxin agar block set in place of the removed shoot tip, below is the outgrowth of lateral shoots.