A simple and versatile 2-dimensional platform to study plant germination and growth under controlled humidity

Sizmur, T. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9835-7195, Lind, K., Benomar, S., VanEvery, H. and Cademartiri, L. (2014) A simple and versatile 2-dimensional platform to study plant germination and growth under controlled humidity. PLoS ONE, 9 (5). e96730. ISSN 1932-6203 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0096730

Abstract/Summary

We describe a simple, inexpensive, but remarkably versatile and controlled growth environment for the observation of plant germination and seedling root growth on a flat, horizontal surface over periods of weeks. The setup provides to each plant a controlled humidity (between 56% and 91% RH), and contact with both nutrients and atmosphere. The flat and horizontal geometry of the surface supporting the roots eliminates the gravitropic bias on their development and facilitates the imaging of the entire root system. Experiments can be setup under sterile conditions and then transferred to a non-sterile environment. The system can be assembled in 1-2 minutes, costs approximately 8.78$ per plant, is almost entirely reusable (0.43$ per experiment in disposables), and is easily scalable to a variety of plants. We demonstrate the performance of the system by germinating, growing, and imaging Wheat (Triticum aestivum), Corn (Zea mays), and Wisconsin Fast Plants (Brassica rapa). Germination rates were close to those expected for optimal conditions.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/40796
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	No Reading authors. Back catalogue items
Publisher	Public Library of Science
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