The terminal bud is the highest point of a plant stem. It’s also referred to as the apical meristem, which contains undifferentiated stem cells necessary for plant growth and development. The terminal bud, located at the tip of the stem, is responsible for controlling the plant’s direction and shape by reducing the stem’s length and getting compact.
The terminal bud’s activity influences the formation of lateral branches, which are the branches that grow from the main stem. The terminal bud promotes the growth of lateral branches by inhibiting the activity of the axillary buds present in the internodes. Once the terminal bud is removed, the axillary buds become active, leading to the growth of multiple branches.
The terminal bud controls a plant’s apical dominance, which is the phenomenon whereby the terminal bud inhibits the growth of all other buds below it. The apical dominance helps the plant prioritize its energy for upward growth, leading to a more effective use of resources and light.
When a terminal bud is damaged or removed, it can lead to undesirable branching patterns, shape distortion, and, in some cases, plant death. Terminal buds should not be pruned unless it’s necessary. When pruning, it’s important to leave at least one viable terminal bud to minimize damage to the plant.
The terminal bud is also essential for horticultural practices like grafting. When grafting, the terminal bud of the rootstock is removed, and the desired scion is grafted on the stem. The terminal bud of the scion then promotes its growth and development.
In conclusion, the terminal bud plays a crucial role in plant growth and development. It helps control the plant’s direction and shape, initiates the formation of lateral branches, and controls the plant’s apical dominance. It’s essential to handle the terminal bud carefully to avoid damage, branching patterns, and distortion that can lead to undesirable plant growth.#16#