The lecture explains which environmental parameters are decisive for the controlled cultivation of test plants. The selection of the proper size and the determination of the maximum growth height are already important for the decision, if the test plants can also be cultivated in several levels on top of each other for reasons of saving space. For cultivation in larger quantities walk-in phytotrons must already be considered. The different phases of plant cultivation and the particularities are described. From the germination of the seed (seed test top on paper or top on sand) to the in vitro cultivation (solution of the condensate problem) to fully grown plants (consistent lighting distance), there are many tips and tricks for utilization of the optimization potential.
The lecture focuses on the miscellaneous possibilities concerning the arrangement of the lighting, the different types of lighting (Tungsten, metal halide vapour, fluorescent and LED lamps), as well as the corresponding advantages and disadvantages, in order to facilitate the choice for the own test procedure. The spectral distribution of the lighting is of particular importance for the photosynthesis.
By the same token, the direction and intensity of the airflow, the different types of humidity control, as well as tests with accelerated growth by increase of the CO2 concentration are depicted.
From the Seed to the Plant
