seedling

A seedling is the young plant that has emerged from a seed and entered the early stages of growth. In most seed plants, the seedling begins with cotyledons, or seed leaves, which may provide the first photosynthesis before true leaves develop. The seedling’s root system forms from the radicle and expands to anchor the plant and absorb water and nutrients, while the shoot grows upward to form stems and leaves.

Germination starts when environmental conditions such as moisture, temperature, and oxygen are suitable. The seed coat splits, the radicle emerges to form the primary root, and the plumule or shoot begins to grow upward. As the seedling develops, it typically produces its first true leaves that resemble the mature plant and increase the plant’s capacity to photosynthesize.

Care and cultivation of seedlings involve providing appropriate light, moisture, and temperature. Seedlings are often started in trays or plugs and then transplanted to a field or larger containers. They require consistent, not excessive, watering and a well-drained medium. Fertilization is usually modest until after the first true leaves appear to avoid nutrient burn. Protecting seedlings from disease, pests, and drying out is important; damping-off caused by fungi is a common risk in damp conditions.

Hardening off is a transitional period where greenhouse-grown seedlings acclimate to outdoor conditions before transplanting. Seedling vigor, or the health and robustness of young plants, influences establishment and eventual yield in crops, forests, and ornamental plantings.