How to Overcome Apical Dominance in Plants?

What is the chemical pinching agent that effectively overcomes apical dominance in plants?

Answer:

The chemical pinching agent that overcomes apical dominance is ethephon.

Apical dominance is a phenomenon that occurs in plants where the main central stem or shoot grows faster and stronger than the side shoots or lateral branches. This dominance is maintained by the plant hormone auxin, which inhibits the growth of lateral buds.

However, to encourage the growth of lateral branches and overcome apical dominance, a chemical pinching agent called ethephon can be used. Ethephon releases ethylene, a plant hormone that counteracts auxins, thus promoting the growth of lateral shoots.

By applying ethephon as a plant growth regulator, gardeners and farmers can effectively encourage branching and increase the overall growth and development of the plant. This method is particularly useful for shaping bonsai trees, promoting fuller growth in shrubs, or increasing fruit yield in fruit-bearing plants.