internodos

Internodos, or internodes, are the portions of a plant stem found between two consecutive nodes. Nodes are the points on the stem where leaves, buds, or branches attach, and they house vascular and meristematic tissues that enable growth. Internodes vary widely in length between species and developmental stage.

In many monocotyledon plants such as grasses, internodes are often long and hollow, contributing to overall plant height and lightness; in many dicotyledons, internodes may be solid and relatively short. Internode length is influenced by genetics and environmental conditions, including light availability, planting density, temperature, and nutrient status. Growth in internodes occurs through cell division and subsequent cell elongation in the stem's internal tissues, with hormones such as gibberellins and auxins playing important regulatory roles. Prolonged elongation leads to longer internodes, a response common under shade or etiolation.

Functionally, the length and spacing of internodes determine plant height, leaf arrangement, and mechanical strength. Wider internodes can reduce crowding of leaves and improve light capture, but excessively long internodes can increase vulnerability to lodging or mechanical damage. Internodes can be hollow, as in many grasses, or solid, as in many dicots, and their tissue composition can influence transport and structural rigidity.

In agriculture and horticulture, internode length is an important trait for plant architecture. Techniques such as pruning, training, or growth regulation are used to manage internode length to balance yield, support, and harvest efficiency.