Originally Posted by edwmax

Just a note: From the above photo the trimmed sucker most have roots while I see some with little to not roots. Those without roots will show transplant shock and will take a month or more to regrow new roots. These are likely the ones you are calling 'failed transplants'. ... These are the ones I suggested above that should be culled from field planting and may be put into a nursery bed to regrow roots to save cost. Then transplanted into a new field when ready along with other healthy suckers.//.

So (I think) corms with no roots and poor handling causing root damage is most probable the major cause of your transplant failures.