When you use seeds instead of seedlings you can have an opportunity to see the whole process of plants growth in particular conditions. On the other hand, when you use a seedling, you don't now that much about the process of sprouting. Even if you do know something, the growth of that plant may differ from the growth of a plant which you keep since it's been sprouting in particular conditions.
I've been looking for publications applying to your problem, but I wasn't successsful, alas.