Question

If the tip of the sugarcane plant is removed from the field, even then it keeps on growing in length. It is due to presence of
A. Cambium
B. Apical meristem
C. Lateral meristem
D. Intercalary meristem

Answer 1

Hint: Sugarcane harvesting can take anywhere from two months, depending on the climate. The original crop is harvested once, followed by three to four harvests of the “ratoon,” or regrowth. The crop requires drip irrigation in locations where yearly rainfall is less than millimetres.
Cuttings from aged plants are generally used to grow new canes. After a few days, the cuttings become established, and buds emerge to generate new stalks. Each plant produces six to ten stalks, and the sugarcane takes one to two years to mature.

Complete answer:
Option A: The cambium is responsible for thickening the plant by generating the wood and inner bark, whereas the apical meristems are responsible for developing and elongating the plant.
So option A is not correct.
Option B: The root and shoot tips of plants have an apical meristem, which is an area of cells capable of division and growth. Apical meristems give rise to the basic plant body and are in charge of root and shoot extension.
So option B is not correct.
Option C: Secondary meristems, or lateral meristems, are responsible for secondary growth, or an increase in stem girth and thickness.
So option C is not correct.
Option D: Intercalary meristems can be found in the base of nodes and leaf blades of stems. Meristem cells have the ability to proliferate and generate new cells.
Sugarcane is a monocot plant with nodes that have intercalary meristems.
As a result, even if the sugarcane's tip is cut, it can still grow because of the intercalary meristem found at nodes.

So option D is the correct answer.

Note:
The main purpose of the intercalary meristem, which is found at the base of the internodes, is to provide elongation and growth to the area of the plant where it is present.
In advanced plants, the intercalary meristem is usually present. Only monocots, particularly grass, have this type of meristem. This is essential to these plant clusters because it serves as a diverse defence system against herbivory. These plants can quickly regrow leaves and expand stems because of intercalary growth, which allows them to compensate for plant portions brushed by herbivores.