title: A simple and versatile 2-dimensional platform to study plant germination and growth under controlled humidity.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America; Ames Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sizmur
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America.
authors.forename: Kara R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Lind
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America; Ames Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America.
authors.forename: Saida
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benomar
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America; Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America.
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: VanEvery
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America; Ames Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America; Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America.
authors.forename: Ludovico
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cademartiri
mesh_terms: D029741:Brassica rapa / Q000254:growth & development; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D018525:Germination / Q000502:physiology*; D006813:Humidity; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development*; D036226:Seedlings / Q000254:growth & development*; D014908:Triticum / Q000254:growth & development; D003313:Zea mays / Q000254:growth & development