Lateral meristem is responsible for growth in :

Options

A. length
B. cortex
C. parenchyma
D. thickness

Explanation

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Meristematic Tissues**:
- Meristematic tissues are specialized tissues in plants that are responsible for growth. They can be classified into three types: apical, intercalary, and lateral meristems.

2. **Identifying Types of Growth**:
- Apical meristems are responsible for primary growth, which increases the length of the plant along the vertical axis.
- Intercalary meristems also contribute to primary growth, typically found at the nodes of grasses.

3. **Focusing on Lateral Meristems**:
- Lateral meristems are distinct from apical and intercalary meristems. They are responsible for secondary growth, which increases the girth or diameter of the plant.

4. **Growth Direction of Lateral Meristems**:
- Lateral meristems facilitate growth along the latitudinal or horizontal axis of the plant, leading to an increase in diameter.

5. **Examples of Lateral Meristems**:
- The two main types of lateral meristems are:
- **Vascular Cambium**: Responsible for the formation of secondary xylem and phloem.
- **Cork Cambium**: Responsible for the production of the outer protective layer of the plant.

6. **Connection to Plant Types**:
- Lateral meristems are primarily found in dicots (e.g., mango, guava), which exhibit significant secondary growth and increase in diameter.
- Monocots (e.g., wheat, paddy) do not have cambium and therefore do not exhibit secondary growth, resulting in a constant diameter.

7. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the lateral meristem is responsible for growth in dicots and contributes to the increase in the diameter of the plant.

### Final Answer:
Lateral meristem is responsible for growth in **dicots** and it increases the **diameter** of the plant.

---