Question

Assertion: In tea plantation hedge making is occur by decapitation. Reason: Removal of apical bud usually results in the growth of lateral buds.

Short answer

The assertion and reason are both true, and the reason is the correct explanation for the assertion. Decapitation in tea plantations promotes the growth of lateral buds, leading to a bushier plant and potentially a higher yield of tea leaves.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Assertion

The assertion claims that in tea plantations, hedge making occurs through decapitation. Decapitation, in terms of plant physiology, means the removal of the plant's top part or the apical bud.

Understanding the Reason

The reason given claims that removing the apical bud often results in the growth of lateral buds. In many plants, the apical bud inhibits the growth of lateral buds, a phenomenon known as apical dominance. Therefore, when the apical bud is removed, the lateral buds are no longer suppressed and can grow freely.

Connecting Assertion and Reason

Understanding both the assertion and the reason, it's possible to link them. In tea plantations, decapitation is done to promote the lateral growth of the tea plants in order to produce greater amounts of tea leaves. This is because the removal of the apical bud allows the lateral buds to grow, which is what the reason states.

Key concepts

Apical Dominance

In the realm of horticulture and botany, apical dominance is a crucial concept that explains the growth behavior of plants. It refers to the phenomenon where the central stem of the plant, known as the apical meristem, inhibits the growth of lateral—or side—shoots. This dominance ensures that the plant grows upwards more than outwards, which is often beneficial in dense forests where light is fought over.

Plants produce a hormone called auxin in the apical bud, which is responsible for this inhibition. Auxin is transported down the stem and suppresses the growth of lateral buds, ensuring that the plant's resources are focused on increasing its height rather than width. This central control allows the plant to gain access to more light and reduces resource wastage. However, when the apical bud is removed through a process called decapitation, the production of auxin decreases, lifting the inhibition and allowing the lateral buds to grow.

The strategic interruption of apical dominance, as seen in tea plantation pruning, is a methodical way to shape the plant's growth and increase leaf yield. By cutting back the apical bud, gardeners and farmers stimulate the plant to become bushier, which in the case of tea plants, means more leaves that can be harvested for tea production.

Lateral Bud Growth

Lateral bud growth is a botanical process in which the buds located along the sides of a plant's stem begin to grow outwards, forming new branches or shoots. These lateral buds are often dormant when the apical bud is intact due to apical dominance. Upon decapitation, however, these buds become activated, leading to increased bushiness and productivity of the plant.

The transition from dormancy to active growth is significant for several reasons. As these lateral buds grow, they differentiate into various structures such as leaves, stems, or flowers, contributing to the overall biomass and reproductive capacity of the plant. This phenomenon is especially important in agriculture and gardening where the aim is to maximize the yield of useful parts of the plant, such as leaves in tea plants.

Effective lateral bud growth can contribute to improved photosynthesis due to a larger leaf area, which in turn supports better growth and produces a greater number of shoots for harvest. In controlled environments like tea plantations, the encouragement of lateral bud growth through regular pruning or decapitation is a key technique to sustain high levels of production.

Tea Plantation Pruning

Pruning is a widespread agricultural practice that involves the selective removal of parts of a plant, such as branches, buds, or roots. In the context of tea plantations, pruning is a vital activity that enhances the quantity and quality of tea leaves. By removing the apical bud along with some of the upper branches, a process sometimes referred to as decapitation, tea growers encourage the proliferation of lateral buds.

There are a few key reasons why pruning is so beneficial in tea cultivation. Firstly, it encourages the spread of the tea bush, making it easier for pickers to access the leaves. Secondly, regular pruning helps to rejuvenate the plant, stimulating new growth which is where the highest quality tea leaves are found. Finally, it allows for better light penetration and air circulation around the plant, which promotes healthy growth and can reduce the incidence of diseases.

In order to maintain optimal growth and leaf production, tea plants are typically pruned at specific times of the year, which varies depending on the climate and local practices. This targeted pruning ensures that the energy of the plant is redirected from vertical growth to the productive lateral shoots, ensuring a steady supply of tea leaves for harvesting.