The cultivation of Arabidopsis thaliana - Creating an optimal growing environment with a Clitec growth chamber.

Arabidopsis thaliana, a small plant with white flowers from Eurasia, has become an important object of research due to its sequenced genome. Successful cultivation of Arabidopsis thaliana depends heavily on the creation of ideal climatic conditions. In this blog, we will share best practices for growing Arabidopsis thaliana and highlight the benefits of using a Clitec growth chamber.

Understanding Arabidopsis thaliana

Arabidopsis thaliana, one of the most intensively studied plant species, was the first plant whose genome was sequenced. This plant species has attracted the attention of researchers worldwide. Originally from Eurasia, it is a small plant with delicate white flowers.

Different growth environments for Arabidopsis thaliana.

Arabidopsis thaliana can be grown in a variety of environments, including greenhouses, growth chambers, environmental chambers, outdoors, or on lighted shelves. By using proper growing methods and carefully following maintenance schedules, the plant can thrive. In addition, it is important to create a suitable environment to achieve accurate research results.

Optimal growing conditions for Arabidopsis thaliana

Arabidopsis thaliana seeds germinate in Clitec plant growth chambers usually within three to five days. With a continuous supply of light, water and maintaining a temperature of around 23 °C, the first flowers can be expected within four to five weeks, and the seeds can be harvested after eight to ten weeks.

It should be noted that environmental conditions in natural habitats may result in different phenotypes compared to mock environments. Researchers need to consider these differences when studying Arabidopsis thaliana.

The importance of lighting

When growing Arabidopsis thaliana, it is recommended to maintain a specific light intensity of 120-150 μmol / m2sec. Excessive lighting can stress the plant, causing the leaves to turn purple and possibly kill the plant.

Temperature requirements

The optimal temperature range for Arabidopsis thaliana growth is usually between 20-23 °C. It is important not to exceed this range or drop below 16 °C, especially in the early growth stages. Older Arabidopsis thaliana plants that are past the “rosette stage” tolerate higher temperatures better than younger plants. However, lower temperatures can lead to a vegetative state that delays flowering. Certain winter variations of the plant require a cold period to initiate flower formation. For accelerated flowering, young plants at 2 to 4 weeks of age are often exposed to temperatures of 4 °C for one to two months.

Maintaining optimum humidity

A uniform humidity of about 50-60 % promotes healthy growth of Arabidopsis thaliana. Relative humidity plays an important role in the plant’s water needs. Extremely high humidity above 90 % can lead to sterility of the plant. Some growers use lower relative humidity below 50 % to help the pods mature.

Customized growth chambers

Clitec growth chambers provide an ideal environment for growing Arabidopsis thaliana. They provide precise control over lighting duration, temperature, light intensity, and often humidity. Clitec chambers can meet customized growing conditions with adjustable temperatures, humidity, light intensity and variable ventilation. While greenhouses can provide similar services, they are more susceptible to temperature fluctuations due to exposure to sunlight. If a growth chamber has previously been used to grow another type of crop, thorough cleaning is required to avoid the use of pesticides or the risk of pest infestation.

Effective preservation of Arabidopsis seeds

Arabidopsis thaliana seeds rehydrate rapidly when exposed to high humidity, resulting in loss of germination.

Conclusion

Growing Arabidopsis thaliana requires creating an optimal growing environment that resembles its natural habitat. Growth chambers offer the ideal solution as they allow precise control over important factors such as light, temperature and humidity. By using advanced Clitec technologies such as the phytotrons and growth chambers in various sizes, researchers can achieve excellent results in the cultivation of Arabidopsis thaliana and other plant species.