Radicle

A radicle is the area of a seedling below its seed leaves, or cotyledons. This includes the embryonic stem, or hypocotyl[?], and root.

Radicles in seedlings are classified into two main types. Those pointing away from the seed coat scar, or hilum[?] are classified as antitropous, and those pointing towards the hilumm are syntropous.

When the radicle begins to decay, the seedling undergoes preemergence damping-off. This disease appears on the radicle as darkened spots. Eventually, it causes death of the seedling.