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Seed Germinator As Tissue Culture Equipment

July 1st, 2014

A seed germinator is Tissue/Cell Culture equipment. Using Seed Germinators, varying atmospheric conditions can be created within the chambers without the need of going outside. Typically, these create an environment in which light, humidity and temperature are controlled to provide optimum conditions for the germination of seeds. They are made of double walled structure having two chambers, one inner and one outer. The main components of a Seed Germinator include;

  • A germinating cylinder
  • A temperate controller

Seed Germinators are designed in such a way that they are able to control the crucial environmental parameters.

Tissue/cell culture is a biological method of asexual propagation where a very small piece of tissue (shoot apex, leaf section, or even an individual cell) is excised (which is known as Explants) and placed in sterile /aseptic culture in a test tube/petri dish/tissue culture container containing a special culture media.
A tissue/cell culture is used for rapid multiplication of an organism. A very specialized laboratory with sterile/aseptic conditions is required for tissue culture. All the procedure involved in tissue culture should be carried out in a aseptic conditions.

Steps involved in Tissue/cell Culture are

  • Explants ; excision of the plant parts.Place the explants in a tissue culture container/test tubes/petri dishes.
  • Multiplication ; Tissue grows and produce small plants.(Rapid multiplication by transfer of fresh culture).
  • Transplanting the plant into some kind of acclimation container.

Tissue culture methods are applied for obtaining the top seed germination rates and asexual propagation. In case of Plant tissue culture, the seed germination in vitro is one of the important steps, that requires optimal and controlled environmental conditions, and these conditions are provided by the Seed germinators.

Seed germinators have their applications in the following areas too;

  • Forestry research
  • Seed testing
  • Biological products
  • Plant tissue cultute

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Seed & its Germination

July 1st, 2014

 

Seed is the outcome of sexual reproduction in flowering plants. It represents the beginning of a new generation. A Seed is defined as a fertilized mature ovule that possesses an embryonic plant, stored food material and a protective coat.

Factors affecting seed germination

Essential environmental factors for seed germination are;

  • Oxygen content; for germination, oxygen is needed in large quantities. The Seeds obtain this oxygen from the air contained in the soil. Seeds sown deeply in soil, fail to germinate because of lack of oxygen. Ploughing aerates the soil and helps in good germination. Respiratory rate of Dormant Seeds is very low so they require less amount of oxygen.
  • Temperature; Germination can take place over a wide range of temperature (5 – 40o C), but the optimum for most of the crops is between 25o C to 30o C
  • Moisture content or water; Water makes the Seed coat soft, causes it to rupture after swelling and start Germination. Water is also needed to bring in the dissolved oxygen for use by the growing embryo. In Dormant Seeds water content is 10-15% and is normally dehydrated, so the Dormant Seed have to absorb water to become active and for its germination.
  • Light; Light has varied effects on germinating Seeds of different plants. Some Seeds need light for Germination, while in some Seeds Germination is hindered by light (i.e. Short day plants and long day plants).

Seed Germinator

A seed germinator is laboratory equipment which is used for the Germination of Seeds. Using Seed Germinators, varying atmospheric conditions can be created within the chambers without the need of going outside. Typically, these create an environment in which light, humidity and temperature are controlled to provide optimum conditions for the germination of seeds. They are made of double walled structure having two chambers, one inner and one outer. The main components of a Seed Germinator include;

  • A germinating cylinder
  • A temperate controller

Seed Germinators are designed in such a way that they are able to control the crucial environmental parameters.

Seed germinators can be of various types

  • For research purpose there are research Seed Germinators
  • There are economical germinators that are used as sprouters in different tissue culture industries and agro based industries

Apart from the usual germination applications, these Seed Germinator are also used for other testing application involving a plants, tissues, microorganism, electronic components etc.

Seed Germinators are also used in

  • Enzyme reaction studies
  • Tissue culture application
  • Growth observation studies
  • Fermentation analysis

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Salt Spray Test Chambers

July 1st, 2014

Salt Spray Chambers are used to perform the Salt Spray Test also known as Fog Test. Salt Spray Test is an accelerated environmental corrosion test in which specimens/metals are exposed either continuously or intermittently to a fine mist of salt-water solution used to evaluate the corrosion resistance of paints, coatings, or electrical connections. Test duration depends on the corrosion resistance of the coating; the more corrosion resistant the coating is, the longer the period in testing without showing signs of corrosion. Or the Salt Spray test is a standardized test method used to check corrosion resistance of coated samples. Coating provides corrosion resistance to metallic parts made of steel, zamak or brass.

Conditions required for a salt spray test (These conditions are maintained constantly for the duration of the test).

  • A 5% by weight salt water solution is atomized by compressed air into a spray (also known as a ‘fog’ or ‘mist’) which is directed into an enclosed test chamber, containing the samples to be tested. The samples are located beneath the atomized salt spray and therefore not directly impinged upon by it.
  • The salt spray so created ‘falls-out’ on to the samples under test at a rate of 1.0 to 2.0ml/80cm²/hour. Generally, and unless otherwise stated, the pH of this fall-out shall be neutral and controlled to between pH 6.5 to 7.2.
  • The salt spray atomization is continuous for the duration of the test. The test duration varies according to the type of test sample and its intended application, but is generally given in multiples of 24 hours.
  • Generally, and unless otherwise stated, the test chamber temperature shall be controlled at 35 degree C, and the humidity shall be maintained at 95-100% Relative Humidity.

Advantages of Salt Spray Test

  • Short test duration; the test duration is short compared to the natural environment, the cost is limited and a standardized material is required.
  • Can examine big samples; in the salt spray test it is possible to examine quite big samples, depending on the size of the salt spray chamber. Some chambers are too big in sizes that even allow the testing of a vehicle.
  • Simple to perform; a salt spray test is simple to perform and its results seem to be immediately understandable to everyone.
  • Salt spray test not only tests the corrosion resistance of the base material but can also show the influence of surface preparation on the resistance of stainless steel to atmospheric corrosion.
  • Salt spray test is multi-material and can also be a combined test of material and surface finish, due to the fact that roughness and wettability play a considerable role in the final result.

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