Read the following statements on plant growth and development.

(A) Parthenocarpy can be induced by auxins.

(B) Plant growth regulators can be involved in promotion as well as inhibition of growth.
(C) Dedifferentiation is a pre-requisite for re-differentiation.
(D) Abscisic acid is a plant growth promoter.
(E)Apical dominance promotes the growth of lateral buds.

Choose the option with all correct statements.

To determine which statements are correct, we examine each one in light of standard plant physiology concepts.

Statement A: “Parthenocarpy can be induced by auxins.”
Auxins are plant hormones that stimulate cell elongation and division. Experimental evidence shows that applying auxins to unfertilized ovaries can trigger fruit development, a process known as parthenocarpy. Therefore, this statement is true.

Statement B: “Plant growth regulators can be involved in promotion as well as inhibition of growth.”
Plant growth regulators (phytohormones) such as gibberellins, cytokinins, and auxins generally promote growth, whereas others like abscisic acid and ethylene can inhibit growth or induce senescence. Thus a single class of regulators can have both promotive and inhibitory effects, making the statement true.

Statement C: “Dedifferentiation is a pre‑requisite for re‑differentiation.”
In tissue culture, somatic cells first lose their specialized characteristics (dedifferentiation) before they can acquire new identities (redifferentiation) when exposed to appropriate signals. This sequence is essential for processes such as callus formation and organogenesis, so the statement is true.

Statement D: “Abscisic acid is a plant growth promoter.”
Abscisic acid (ABA) mainly functions to inhibit growth, induce seed dormancy, and close stomata under stress conditions. It does not promote growth, so this statement is false.

Statement E: “Apical dominance promotes the growth of lateral buds.”
Apical dominance, driven primarily by auxin produced in the shoot apex, suppresses the outgrowth of lateral buds. Removal of the apex releases this inhibition. Hence, the statement is false.

Putting the true statements together, the correct set is A, B, C only.