Citation
Concepts and terminology of apical dominance
TL;DR
Terminal bud produces auxin that inhibits lateral buds
Foundational research on auxin-cytokinin regulation explaining why dormant buds activate when terminal growth is removed. Cline's work explains the hormonal cascade that triggers regeneration after cutting.
Provides biological basis for the organizational insight that killing dominant business units can unlock suppressed innovation. When the 'terminal bud' (dominant revenue source) is removed, 'lateral buds' (suppressed initiatives) can finally grow.
Key Findings from Cline (1997)
- Terminal bud produces auxin that inhibits lateral buds
- Cutting removes auxin source, levels drop within days
- Cytokinin rises when auxin drops, promoting bud activation
- Multiple shoots compete, new apical dominance establishes