Many transplanted seedlings do not grow because

the new soil does not contain favourable minerals

most of the root hairs grip the new soil too hard

most of the root hairs are lost during transplantation

leaves get damaged during transplantation

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Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2013

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Many transplanted seedlings do not grow because most of their root hairs are lost during the transplantation process.

Root hairs are fine, delicate extensions of root epidermal cells that greatly increase the surface area for absorption of water and mineral nutrients from the soil. When a seedling is dug up for transplantation, the soil around the roots is disturbed, and a large number of these fragile root hairs are broken or stripped off. The plant’s ability to absorb water is severely reduced until new root hairs can grow, leading to ‘transplant shock’, wilting, and potentially death if sufficient water uptake cannot be re-established quickly.

While factors like unfavorable soil conditions or leaf damage can also affect transplant success, the primary and most immediate challenge for a transplanted seedling is the drastic reduction in its water absorption capacity due to root hair loss. Proper watering and minimizing root disturbance during transplantation are crucial for survival.

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