Hardening-off or acclimating rooted propagules,
seedlings, and tissue culture plantlets is critical for
plant survival and growth. In commercial production,
it assures a smooth transition and efficient
turnover of plant product from propagation to liner
production (Fig. 3–21) to finished plants in protected
culture (greenhouses, etc.) or containerization
and field production. This smooth transition and
turnover of plant production units is essential in the
marketing, sales, and profitability of plant manufacturing
companies.