Ethylene - Apical Dominance
Ethylene also plays a role in the inhibition of lateral bud growth. It is present in those tissues like shoot apex where auxins are also present. In normal mature light-grown plants the inhibition of lateral buds seems to result from the action of ethylene stimulated by auxins translocated there from the apical buds and leaves. This inhibitory effect of ethylene on lateral buds is released by the application of cytokinins.