<p>Manipulation of shoot architecture by removing apical shoot offers an effective approach to regulate growth and productivity in vegetable crops. By suppressing apical dominance, pinching encourages axillary bud development and lateral branching resulting in a well-balanced canopy structure and more efficient assimilates distribution. These structural alterations improve light interception, harmonize vegetative and reproductive growth and enhance fruit set and quality. Shoot regulation also affects biochemical traits thereby linking shoot regulation to nutritional improvement. Its simplicity, low-input requirements and minimal environment footprint make it particularly relevant for resource limited farming systems with limited access to high input technologies. However, the success of this technique highly depends on timing and intensity as improper interventions may delay flowering and reduce yield hence posing challenge for large scale adoption. Combining this approach with molecular approaches, protected cultivation, bio stimulants and climate-smart strategies can transform shoot regulation into a precision driven strategy that improves yield, resilience and efficiency. This review provides a concise overview of shoot regulation through apical removal, its effects on growth, yield, biochemical traits and its potential for integration with advanced strategies for sustainable vegetable production.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>