Which of the following statements about apical dominance in plants is true?

Correct answer: (b) Removal of the apical bud promotes lateral bud growth

Explanation

In apical dominance, the growing tip (apical bud) of a shoot stops the buds below it (lateral buds) from growing. The auxin made in the apical bud moves down the stem and suppresses the lateral buds.

So when the apical bud is removed, the auxin supply falls and the lateral buds start to grow, and the plant becomes bushy. Gardeners use this when they prune hedges and tea bushes.

The other statements are wrong: the apices are active, not dormant; cytokinins work against apical dominance, so less cytokinin would not increase it; and auxin inhibits lateral buds rather than stimulating them.