Glossary

Apical dominance is the influence of a growing shoot tip on the activity of buds farther down that shoot. Removing the tip of a young mango can encourage lateral branching, which is useful for training a lower, more accessible canopy. The response also depends on vigor, timing, and plant condition. Repeatedly removing every new tip can delay shoot maturity and flowering, so branching goals should be balanced with the need to retain healthy foliage and productive terminals.