| suppression of the development of lateral buds in a growing plant shoot, caused by hormones produced in the tip of the shoot. |
| apical dominance n. Inhibition of the growth of lateral buds by the terminal bud of a plant shoot. |
apical dominance  (ā'pĭ-kəl, āp'ĭ-) Pronunciation Key
Inhibition of the growth of lateral buds by the terminal bud of a plant shoot. In most plants, apical dominance results from the release of auxin by the apical meristem. |