SUMMARY The effects of foliar and root applied 6‐benzylamino‐9‐(tetrahydropyran‐2‐yl)‐9H‐purine (PBA), 6‐benzylamino‐purine (BAP), indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) or gibberellic acid (GA3) on tiller bud growth were examined in cereal seedlings. Generally IAA and GA3 inhibited tiller bud growth whilst the synthetic cytokinins both markedly promoted growth. Some observations on stem and root growth were also recorded. The results are discussed with respect to the diversion of both assimilates and cytokinins and appear to favour the view that tiller bud development is controlled by a competition for assimilates with the roots and main shoot.