Soil-free Systems for Root Phenotyping, Molecular Analysis & Bioassays
Root phenoboxes and growth pouches are used for soil-free, high throughput root phenotyping, ready-to-use seed germination pouches for phenotyping, molecular analysis & bioassays. Wide range of growth pouch accessories (Manipulation Stands, PhenoRacks, Shading Panels) available.
Growth Pouch & Phenobox Systems
Vienna Scientific offers growing pouches and root phenobox systems to monitor / phenotype roots, and perform experiments on seedlings in vivo under controlled, soil-free conditions:
Root Phenobox. System for advanced soilless root phenotyping with growth resistance - a spongy middle layer gently presses the germination paper against the transparent front panels.
Growth Pouches "Type 1". Classical growth pouch system with positioning panel and germination paper in a foil sleeve. Suitable for PhenoRack Systems with rewetting from bottom reservoir. Custom sizes and sets available - please submit the GP Type 1 Configuration form (pdf).
Rigid Growth Pouches "Type 2". "Hybrid system" between Rhizobox and classic growth pouch with a rigid transparent front. Suitable for larger seeds and large diameter roots (corn etc.). Custom sizes and set available.
PhenoRack. Storage solution for growth pouches in high throughput phenotyping systems, and benchtop screening systems in the laboratory. Configure by submitting the GP Type 1 Configuration form (pdf).
Shading Panels for Growth Pouches & Root Phenoboxes. Effectively prevents light from reaching roots growing on germination paper.
Growth Pouch Set-up Stand (90°) & Manipulation Stand (30°). 90° stands allow classic growth pouches to be established when not in PhenoRacks. 30° Manipulation Stands allow safe root sampling and are a great way to create educational displays.
Coming soon: Ready-to-use Seed Germination Pouches for a variety of applications including seed testing, genotype screening, plant tissue culture & bioassays. The sterile pouches are particularly well suited for use in laboratory environments & for standardized testing.
Germination Paper-based Plant Screening
Growing paper-based systems are suitable for screening root system architectures (RSA) of large numbers of seedlings in a rapid and cost-effective manner - allowing their integration into high-throughput (HT) root phenotyping platforms. Read more on the application of growth pouches for root phenotyping. In addition, the soil-free conditions allow the establishment of standardized protocols for plant bioassays and easier, "clean" sample recovery for molecular analysis. Growth pouch systems using plants grown vertically on germination paper / blotter papper have thus been successfully used in seedling screens for many years & species - using growth pouch set-ups of many different configurations. For efficient placement and handling of growing pouches, pouch PhenoRacks and Manipulation Stands are key. Alternatively, Root Phenoboxes provide mechanical resistance to root systems developing on the germination paper. Vienna Scientific offers custom-made growth pouch and root phenobox systems to meet your objectives.
Germination Paper properties
In brief, germination paper for growing pouches should possess a creped surface. The paper should have thus an open, porous formation and be inert, i.e. in particular free from impurities or substances that may affect seed germination and root growth. Papers should provide a high, uniform water retention, remain mechanically stable under wetted conditions, and should not allow for ingrowth of roots or root hairs. In addition, the germination paper should also be free of fungi or bacteria which might interfer with seedling growth and evaluation of results. Seeds may be surface sterized to reduce the risk of microbial contamination. While a range of companies offer creped germination papers, a classical provider of such papers for root observation tasks is the Anchor Paper Company, MN, USA. Anchor offers regular / heavy weight germination papers in the sizes 10 x 15 inch (25.4 x 38.1 cm), 10 x 20 inch (25.4 x 50.8 cm), 12 x 18 inch (30.48 x 45.72 cm) and 12 x 24 inch (30.48 x 60.96 cm) sizes from stock. However, Anchor also offers free custom cutting, giving you the freedom to design your own Growth Pouches / Root Phenoboxes. Steel blue, white and tan germination blotters are available from Anchor in 19 x 24 inch (48.26 cm x 60.96 cm) sheets. Commercial germination pouches hold tan blotter paper inside (sterile) plastic bags and a special fold to securely place seeds.
Ready-to-use Germination Pouch Systems for Rapid Plant & Root Screening / Bioassays
We are currently developing a cooperation to provide ready-to-use, sterile seed germination pouches to European researchers. Matched PhenoRacks and Manipulation Stands will fit the commercial pouch dimensions. Stay tuned!
