methods (see Notes 14 and 15). Soil can be autoclaved to eliminate
pests, but this is usually not necessary. The method described has
been optimized for Arabidopsis, but can be used for other Brassicaceae such as Malcolmia maritima, Myagrum perfoliatum, and
Eruca vesicaria. Where appropriate, differences in requirements
between Arabidopsis and other Brassicaceae are highlighted. Preparation of soil for planting in pots can be accomplished as follows:
1. Place soil in a clean container. Add slow release fertilizer (see
Note 16). Wet thoroughly with tap water and mix well with
hands.
2. Label pot(s) or tray(s) with the stock number or name and date
of planting (see Note 17).
3. Place soil loosely in the pot or other container and level,
without compressing, to generate a uniform planting bed (see
Note 18).
4. Sow pot(s) with seeds (see Notes 19 and 20).
5. Place pot(s) in a tray, flat or other container.
6. Cover with a plastic dome or with clear plastic wrap taped to
the container (see Note 21).
7. Place pot(s) at 4
C for 3 days (see Note 22).
8. Transfer pot(s) into the growth area.
9. Remove plastic dome or wrap for growth in the greenhouse,
but leave them on until germinated seedlings are visible for
plants grown in a growth chamber.
3.2 Growth
Conditions
A number of environmental factors along with genetic background
influence the growth, flowering time, and development of Arabidopsis. Seeds of most Arabidopsis lines germinate 3–5 days after
planting under continuous light, at 23
C, with adequate water and
good nutrition. Plants produce their first flowers within 4–5 weeks
(see Note 23), and seeds can be harvested 8–10 weeks after
planting.
For vigorous plant growth, a light intensity of 120–150 μmol/
m
2
s (see Note 24), 16 h photoperiod (see Note 25), and temperature of 22–23
C (see Note 26) are recommended. Arabidopsis can
tolerate a wide range of relative humidity (RH) with 50–60% being
considered optimal for plant growth. Greenhouses (see Note 27)
and growth chambers/rooms (see Note 28) provide a growth area
that can maintain the ideal conditions with relative ease during the
growth cycle. If necessary, plants can also be grown economically in
any room equipped with supplemental lighting and air conditioning, but it may be difficult to achieve the ideal conditions.
Most Brassicaceae species adapt well to the conditions
described above as they experience greater fluctuations under natural conditions. The Brassicaceae family contains many winter
Handling Arabidopsis Plants
9
pests, but this is usually not necessary. The method described has
been optimized for Arabidopsis, but can be used for other Brassicaceae such as Malcolmia maritima, Myagrum perfoliatum, and
Eruca vesicaria. Where appropriate, differences in requirements
between Arabidopsis and other Brassicaceae are highlighted. Preparation of soil for planting in pots can be accomplished as follows:
1. Place soil in a clean container. Add slow release fertilizer (see
Note 16). Wet thoroughly with tap water and mix well with
hands.
2. Label pot(s) or tray(s) with the stock number or name and date
of planting (see Note 17).
3. Place soil loosely in the pot or other container and level,
without compressing, to generate a uniform planting bed (see
Note 18).
4. Sow pot(s) with seeds (see Notes 19 and 20).
5. Place pot(s) in a tray, flat or other container.
6. Cover with a plastic dome or with clear plastic wrap taped to
the container (see Note 21).
7. Place pot(s) at 4
C for 3 days (see Note 22).
8. Transfer pot(s) into the growth area.
9. Remove plastic dome or wrap for growth in the greenhouse,
but leave them on until germinated seedlings are visible for
plants grown in a growth chamber.
3.2 Growth
Conditions
A number of environmental factors along with genetic background
influence the growth, flowering time, and development of Arabidopsis. Seeds of most Arabidopsis lines germinate 3–5 days after
planting under continuous light, at 23
C, with adequate water and
good nutrition. Plants produce their first flowers within 4–5 weeks
(see Note 23), and seeds can be harvested 8–10 weeks after
planting.
For vigorous plant growth, a light intensity of 120–150 μmol/
m
2
s (see Note 24), 16 h photoperiod (see Note 25), and temperature of 22–23
C (see Note 26) are recommended. Arabidopsis can
tolerate a wide range of relative humidity (RH) with 50–60% being
considered optimal for plant growth. Greenhouses (see Note 27)
and growth chambers/rooms (see Note 28) provide a growth area
that can maintain the ideal conditions with relative ease during the
growth cycle. If necessary, plants can also be grown economically in
any room equipped with supplemental lighting and air conditioning, but it may be difficult to achieve the ideal conditions.
Most Brassicaceae species adapt well to the conditions
described above as they experience greater fluctuations under natural conditions. The Brassicaceae family contains many winter
Handling Arabidopsis Plants
9