Articles
DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPUTER-CONTROLLED APPARATUS FOR MICROPROPAGATION STUDIES
Article number
319_93
Pages
585 – 590
Language
Abstract
A micropropagation apparatus using cycled liquid culture medium has been developed; this apparatus increases gas exchange and could be used to measure and manipulate environmental variables.
The culture containers are clear polycarbonate vessels (Bio-Safe™) that seal with a gasket and clamps.
Plant cultures rest on a platform of perforated sheet polypropylene that is fastened to the floor of the culture vessel.
The culture medium is stored in carboys that are attached via tubing to the culture containers.
The medium is pumped with a variable speed, reversible peristaltic pump into and out of the culture vessels according to a schedule regulated by a computer.
Custom software was developed to operate the system and allows the user to adjust the cycling schedule and number of culture vessels operating from a single pump.
Gas exchange via 0.2 μm, disposable hydrophobic filters is facilitated through pumping of the culture medium into and out of the culture vessels.
Depth of medium within the vessels is regulated by infrared emitter-detector pairs.
The apparatus is sterilized through autoclaving.
Culture of Amelanchier × grandiflora in the apparatus was compared to growth on agar-gelled medium in jars.
Cultures in the apparatus produced significantly more shoots than did those in jars.
Shoot lengths and weights were not significantly different.
Percentage of shoots from jars versus vessels that successfully acclimatized to greenhouse conditions was similar.
The culture containers are clear polycarbonate vessels (Bio-Safe™) that seal with a gasket and clamps.
Plant cultures rest on a platform of perforated sheet polypropylene that is fastened to the floor of the culture vessel.
The culture medium is stored in carboys that are attached via tubing to the culture containers.
The medium is pumped with a variable speed, reversible peristaltic pump into and out of the culture vessels according to a schedule regulated by a computer.
Custom software was developed to operate the system and allows the user to adjust the cycling schedule and number of culture vessels operating from a single pump.
Gas exchange via 0.2 μm, disposable hydrophobic filters is facilitated through pumping of the culture medium into and out of the culture vessels.
Depth of medium within the vessels is regulated by infrared emitter-detector pairs.
The apparatus is sterilized through autoclaving.
Culture of Amelanchier × grandiflora in the apparatus was compared to growth on agar-gelled medium in jars.
Cultures in the apparatus produced significantly more shoots than did those in jars.
Shoot lengths and weights were not significantly different.
Percentage of shoots from jars versus vessels that successfully acclimatized to greenhouse conditions was similar.
Authors
C.D. Robacker, W. Simonton
Keywords
Amelanchier × grandiflora, automation, liquid medium, serviceberry
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