Which factor contributes to pretransplant injury?

Which factor contributes to pretransplant injury?

• A. Excessive watering after harvest
• B. Dehydration before planting
• C. Late pruning
• D. Over-fertilization after transplant

Answer: (B)

Pretransplant injury largely comes from water stress experienced before transplanting. When plants are dehydrated before planting, their tissues lose turgor and cell integrity suffers, while carbohydrate reserves are reduced. This weakens the developing roots and shoots, making it harder for the plant to rehydrate and establish after transplant. The result is slower growth, increased wilting, and lower survival once moved to the new environment. Keeping plants adequately hydrated during production and giving them time to recover before transplant minimizes this risk. In contrast, excessive watering after harvest can lead to other problems like root rot or nutrient leaching, and issues like late pruning or fertilization after transplant affect plants after establishment rather than the pretransplant stage.

Pretransplant injury largely comes from water stress experienced before transplanting. When plants are dehydrated before planting, their tissues lose turgor and cell integrity suffers, while carbohydrate reserves are reduced. This weakens the developing roots and shoots, making it harder for the plant to rehydrate and establish after transplant. The result is slower growth, increased wilting, and lower survival once moved to the new environment. Keeping plants adequately hydrated during production and giving them time to recover before transplant minimizes this risk. In contrast, excessive watering after harvest can lead to other problems like root rot or nutrient leaching, and issues like late pruning or fertilization after transplant affect plants after establishment rather than the pretransplant stage.