ratoons
/rəˈtuːnz/
noun
- The new shoots or regrowth that appear from the roots or stubble of a plant after it has been cut back.
- Healthy ratoons indicate that the root system is strong enough for another harvest.
- The farmer inspected the ratoons to decide whether to fertilize the field again.
- The ratoons from the sugarcane field were already a foot tall within a month.
Synonyms
verb
- Third person singular form of ratoon; to produce new shoots from the roots or stubble after being cut back.
- If the plant ratoons poorly, the farmer may need to replant the entire field.
- This variety of rice ratoons well even in dry conditions.
- The sugarcane ratoons reliably for two or three seasons before yields drop.