Many transplanted seedlings do not grow because
[amp_mcq option1=āthe new soil does not contain favourable mineralsā option2=āmost of the root hairs grip the new soil too hardā option3=āmost of the root hairs are lost during transplantationā option4=āleaves get damaged during transplantationā correct=āoption3ā³]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS ā 2013
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 plantās ability to absorb water is severely reduced until new root hairs can grow, leading to ātransplant shockā, wilting, and potentially death if sufficient water uptake cannot be re-established quickly.