A reduction in height but an increase in tillers suggests that wheat may benefit from a little mechanical stress.
Tag - thigmomorphogenesis
Fi Gennu
Biomechanics of rhizophores in Rhizophora mangroves
Rhizophora mangle supports a thinner stem of higher mechanical resistance when compared to Avicennia germinans, a co-existing mangrove lacking rhizophores.
botanyone