How does pruning help in making the hedge dense

Options

A. It frees axillary buds from apical dominance
B. The apical shoot grows faster after pruning
C. It releases wound hormones
D. It induces the differentiation ot new shoots from the rootstock

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Pruning**: Pruning is the process of cutting back the growth of a plant, particularly the apical bud (the tip of the plant). This practice is commonly used to maintain the shape and health of plants, including hedges.

2. **Concept of Apical Dominance**: Apical dominance refers to the phenomenon where the growth of lateral (side) branches is inhibited by the presence of the apical bud. This is primarily due to the action of plant hormones called auxins, which are produced at the tips of the growing shoots.

3. **Role of Auxins**: Auxins are plant growth regulators that promote cell elongation and inhibit the growth of lateral buds. When the apical bud is intact, it produces auxins, which suppress the growth of the lateral buds, leading to a taller but less bushy plant.

4. **Effect of Decapitating the Apical Bud**: When the apical bud is removed (a process known as decapitation), the production of auxins decreases. As a result, the inhibition on lateral buds is lifted, allowing them to grow more freely.

5. **Resulting Growth**: The growth of lateral branches leads to a denser and bushier appearance of the hedge. This is because more lateral branches can grow outwards, filling in the space and creating a thicker hedge.

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, pruning helps in making the hedge dense by freeing the axillary (lateral) buds from apical dominance, allowing them to grow and contribute to the overall density of the hedge.

**Final Answer**: Pruning helps in making the hedge dense by freeing the axillary buds from apical dominance, which allows for increased lateral branch growth.

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