If the tip of sugarcane plant is removed the apical meristem is also removed as it is situated in the apices of growing roots and stem. Intercalary meristem are located at the base of leaves or nodes and leads to the increase in the length of an organ such as leaves and internodes. 

Intercalary Meristem: The Reason behind the Growth of Sugarcane Plant

The correct answer to the given question is option 'D', intercalary meristem. The intercalary meristem is responsible for the continuous growth of sugarcane plants even after the tip of the plant is removed. Let's understand why intercalary meristem plays such a crucial role in the growth of sugarcane plants.

1. Meristems: The Building Blocks of Plant Growth

Meristems are specialized regions in plants where active cell division takes place. They are responsible for the growth and development of plants. Meristems are found in various parts of the plant, including the tips of roots and shoots.

2. Apical Meristem: The Primary Growth Point

The apical meristem is located at the tips of roots and shoots. It is responsible for the primary growth of the plant, contributing to the increase in length and the formation of new organs. However, if the tip of the sugarcane plant is removed, the apical meristem is also removed, which would typically hinder further growth.

3. Intercalary Meristem: A Unique Growth Zone

Unlike most plants, sugarcane possesses a unique type of meristem known as the intercalary meristem. It is found in the internodes, the sections of the stem between the nodes. Intercalary meristem allows the sugarcane plant to continue growing even after the removal of its tip.

4. A Continuous Source of New Cells

Intercalary meristem consists of actively dividing cells that continuously produce new cells. These new cells contribute to the elongation of the internodes, resulting in the lengthening of the sugarcane plant. This growth is not dependent on the presence of the apical meristem, making sugarcane plants resilient and capable of regrowth.

5. The Role of Intercalary Meristem in Regrowth

The intercalary meristem plays a vital role in the regrowth ability of sugarcane plants. If the tip of the plant is damaged or harvested for sugarcane production, the intercalary meristem remains intact and continues to produce new cells. These new cells elongate the stem, allowing the plant to regrow and produce new shoots and leaves.

In conclusion, the presence of intercalary meristem in sugarcane plants enables them to continue growing in length even after the removal of the plant's tip. This unique growth zone provides a continuous source of new cells, contributing to the regrowth and resilience of the sugarcane plant.

Intercalary meristem helps in the longitudinal growth of plants I.e. length of the plant