In greenhouse plant production, what does the term "forcing" refer to?

Forcing refers specifically to the practices involved in stimulating bulbs or other plants to grow and produce flowers earlier than they would naturally. This technique takes advantage of controlled environmental conditions, such as temperature and light, to encourage plants to break dormancy, sprout, and bloom. It is commonly used with flowering bulbs such as tulips and daffodils, allowing growers to produce flowers out of their natural season for special occasions or market sales.

In contrast, the other options touch on different aspects of plant care and propagation but do not relate to the specific process of forcing. For instance, enhancing soil fertility involves enriching the growing medium for improved plant growth, while transplanting seedlings is about moving young plants to larger containers or the ground. Lastly, preventing pest infestation focuses on protecting plants from harmful insects and diseases, rather than inducing flowering.