In addition to the control and logging systems in place at the
growth facilities, environmental growth conditions can be monitored by placing portable data loggers (e.g., the HOBO
® U14) in
growth areas. Data loggers can act in conjunction with or as a
backup for installed environmental control systems, or can be
used as the sole resource for recording environmental data. The
loggers can be used to display and record temperature and RH in
the growth area. This offers reliability, accuracy, convenient monitoring, and documentation of specific environmental conditions.
Loggers can be connected to a computer to quickly display and
analyze data.
3.3 Seed Handling
3.3.1 Plant Isolation,
Harvesting,
and Preparation for Storage
Plant Isolation
Plant isolation is important to prevent the cross-contamination of
seeds among adjacent pots and to maintain genetic purity through
preventing outcrossing for some species. Plants must be isolated
from their neighbors without compromising seed quality. Various
methods and isolation devices exist to accomplish these objectives,
including Aracons™, plastic floral sleeves, pollination bags, and
isolation by space on the open bench. Details of each method are
described below.
1. Aracons™: Designed for Arabidopsis. Place an Aracon™ over a
single plant soon after bolting.
2. Floral sleeves: This method is very effective for achieving high
densities while maintaining productivity and purity of single
lines of different genetic backgrounds. Ideal for isolating Arabidopsis, Boechera stricta, and other self-fertilizing species.
Place the sleeve around the pot near the time of bolting, so
that all plant inflorescences are maintained within the sleeve (see
Note 40).
3. Pollination bag: This method is very effective for self-pollinated
but susceptible to outcrossing species like T. arvense [9]. Place
the bag over the plant at the first sign of bolting, the bag should
be tied near the base of the plant.
4. Open bench growth: Open bench growth should be used for
self-incompatible species requiring manual pollination and Arabidopsis plants being used for genetic crosses. Plants can be
maintained on the open bench for bulk seed production; keep
the different lines separated by adequate space.
Harvesting
Plants are ready to harvest when the entire inflorescence has
browned. However, some siliques/silicles may shatter naturally
and seed will be lost. If rapid turnover is required, seeds from
individual siliques/silicles can be harvested after they have turned
completely yellow; however, such seeds have high levels of germination inhibitors. Harvested seeds should be processed promptly
(including threshing, cleaning, drying, and packaging) and placed
Handling Arabidopsis Plants
11
growth facilities, environmental growth conditions can be monitored by placing portable data loggers (e.g., the HOBO
® U14) in
growth areas. Data loggers can act in conjunction with or as a
backup for installed environmental control systems, or can be
used as the sole resource for recording environmental data. The
loggers can be used to display and record temperature and RH in
the growth area. This offers reliability, accuracy, convenient monitoring, and documentation of specific environmental conditions.
Loggers can be connected to a computer to quickly display and
analyze data.
3.3 Seed Handling
3.3.1 Plant Isolation,
Harvesting,
and Preparation for Storage
Plant Isolation
Plant isolation is important to prevent the cross-contamination of
seeds among adjacent pots and to maintain genetic purity through
preventing outcrossing for some species. Plants must be isolated
from their neighbors without compromising seed quality. Various
methods and isolation devices exist to accomplish these objectives,
including Aracons™, plastic floral sleeves, pollination bags, and
isolation by space on the open bench. Details of each method are
described below.
1. Aracons™: Designed for Arabidopsis. Place an Aracon™ over a
single plant soon after bolting.
2. Floral sleeves: This method is very effective for achieving high
densities while maintaining productivity and purity of single
lines of different genetic backgrounds. Ideal for isolating Arabidopsis, Boechera stricta, and other self-fertilizing species.
Place the sleeve around the pot near the time of bolting, so
that all plant inflorescences are maintained within the sleeve (see
Note 40).
3. Pollination bag: This method is very effective for self-pollinated
but susceptible to outcrossing species like T. arvense [9]. Place
the bag over the plant at the first sign of bolting, the bag should
be tied near the base of the plant.
4. Open bench growth: Open bench growth should be used for
self-incompatible species requiring manual pollination and Arabidopsis plants being used for genetic crosses. Plants can be
maintained on the open bench for bulk seed production; keep
the different lines separated by adequate space.
Harvesting
Plants are ready to harvest when the entire inflorescence has
browned. However, some siliques/silicles may shatter naturally
and seed will be lost. If rapid turnover is required, seeds from
individual siliques/silicles can be harvested after they have turned
completely yellow; however, such seeds have high levels of germination inhibitors. Harvested seeds should be processed promptly
(including threshing, cleaning, drying, and packaging) and placed
Handling Arabidopsis Plants
11