Growing Plants Without Soil for Experimental Use

Much of the current research in experimental plant biology requires highly uniform plants. To achieve this, many plants are grown under conditions in which the environment is carefully manipulated. This pamphlet has been prepared, therefore, to present and describe growth procedures which will produce vigorous, healthy, uniform plant material in regulated environments for experimental purposes. The publication is intended for those with some knowledge of plants who want to grow one or-more species for experimental purposes, for demonstrations in schools, Cr for science projects where limited facilities are available. Topics discussed include: (1) control of environmentgreenhouses, growth chambers, and seed germinators, (2) factors for plant growth–light, temperature, relative humidity, growth’media, and nutrition, (3) germination of seed -two methods, (4) transplanting, (5) culture techniquescontainers, aeration, subirrigation, and nutrient solution, and (6) techniques for specific plants. An index tc more than 50 plants mentioned in the text is also given. The techniques and equipment described a:e those used at the Metabolism and Radiation Research Laboratory, Fargo, North Dakota. (BL) GROWING PLANTS WITHOUT SOIL FOR EXPERIMENTAL USE US OERARTMENT oF HEALTH. EDUCATION & WELFARE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION THIS DOCUMENT HAS SEP* R FPRO OUCED EXACTLY AS RECE’RED tROv THE REASON OR ORGANIZATIVRORIDt% ATH40 IT POINTS Or .*EA, OR OPINIONS STAYED DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRE SENT OFFICIAL RATIONAu INSTITUTE OF roucTatoN POSITION OR POLICY Miscellaneous Publication No. 1251 Agricultural Research Service UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE