Micropropagation
Part 2 –
[Picture: Growth Cabinet]
Initiation of a new variety into culture [New start] Similar to any propagation method, you should start with a healthy plant that is disease, virus*, and pest free. I also recommend the plant should also be under watered, herbicide, pesticide, dust free for at least 6 weeks * A quantity of viruses have advantages or traits The plant should have little to no stress; however that can be an advantage in some varieties E.g. Clematis in low light, stressing shoots to elongate This is due to the elongation of the shoots there is a higher concentration of natural auxin in the shoots that can lead to a more vigorous culture. A small section can be taken from a stem, root, leaf, bud or single cell; often from meristematic tissue this is then called an explant. Due to the presence of sucrose in the gel, all traces of dirt, bacteria, sources of contaminate need to be removed before placing the explants in the medium. Surface sterilize the explants – Askham Bran College Method One 5% Tween 20 for 5 min [Optional 0.1% Hg2Cl2 [Mercury chloride] for up to 10 min] 10% Bleach for 10 - 15 min [Sodium hypochlorite] [Hydrogen peroxide] 3 X wash distilled autoclaved water Remove any damaged tissue Place in the gel and store in the growth room, growth cabinet or on the trolley. The environment is air-conditioned @ 25°C - 27°C depending on variety and the explants are grown under white light (normally) with a Lux level of 1200. New starts need to be inspected daily for early bacterial contamination.
Garden Tripod 8 54