Which buds may be inhibited by the active growth of terminal buds?

• A. Terminal buds
• B. Lateral buds
• C. Adventitious buds
• D. Flower buds

Answer: (B)

Apical dominance is at work here: when the terminal bud is actively growing, it produces hormones (auxin) that travel downward and suppress the outgrowth of lateral buds along the stem. This keeps the main axis growing taller rather than producing side branches. So the lateral buds are the ones inhibited by the activity of the terminal bud. If the terminal bud’s influence is removed or reduced, those lateral buds can break dormancy and grow, leading to a bushier plant. Adventitious buds aren’t the typical targets of this down-the-stem hormonal control, and flower buds aren’t the primary focus of apical dominance in this context.