What does lignify mean in grapevines?

• A. They become leaves rapidly
• B. Green shoots become woody and rigid, and are then called canes
• C. They grow faster
• D. They produce more roots

Answer: (B)

Lignify is the process by which young green grapevine shoots develop into woody, rigid tissue. As the shoots mature, their cells thicken with lignin, making the material hard. In grapevines this woody growth is what we call canes, the permanent wood that forms the vine’s framework for pruning and training. So the correct description is shoots turning woody and rigid and being named canes. The other options describe leaf production, faster growth, or root production, none of which involve wood formation.