Primary growth in shoots. The information below was adapted from OpenStax Biology 30.2. Just as in roots, primary growth in stems is a result of rapidly dividing cells in the apical meristems at the shoot tip. Subsequent cell elongation then leads to primary growth. In many plants, most primary growth occurs primarily at the apical (top) bud, rather than axillary buds (buds at locations of side branching). The influence of the apical bud on overall plant growth is known as apical dominance, which prevents the growth of axillary buds that form along the sides of branches and stems.