Hergroei

Hergroei is a Dutch term that describes the process by which a plant or plant part produces new growth after disturbance such as pruning, grazing, fire, or mechanical damage. It can involve shoots arising from latent buds on stems or roots, or from underground storage organs such as bulbs, tubers, rhizomes, or the root crown.

The capacity for hergroei depends on species and individual, plant age, energy reserves, and environmental conditions. After damage, dormant or latent meristems activate; carbohydrates stored in roots or stems fuel the initial growth; hormones such as auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins coordinate regrowth. Light, moisture, and soil nutrients influence the rate and extent of regrowth, and the severity of disturbance often determines whether regrowth is vigorous or limited. Some plants are well known for their strong regrowth capacity, while others rely more on seed production.

Applications and management: In agriculture, horticulture, and forestry, hergroei is a central consideration for pruning schedules, grazing management, coppicing, restoration, and weed control. Grasses and forage crops often rely on regrowth after mowing or grazing for yield and persistence. Woody plants may be managed to encourage coppice regrowth or to produce usable shoots from stumps. Practices that conserve energy reserves, maintain soil fertility, and provide adequate light and moisture tend to enhance regrowth.

Ecological significance: Regrowth supports resilience after disturbance, enables vegetative reproduction, and influences successional dynamics in ecosystems. Some species are classified as sprouters due to their robust regrowth from crowns, roots, or lignotubers, contributing to their persistence in changing environments.