The Aseptic Culture of Arabidopsis Thaliana (l.) Heynh.

Abstract

Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. is a small, rapidly growing crucifer with a 28-day life cycle, a low chromosome number (n=5), and a high fertility (152�1l seeds under aseptic conditions). The small size and rapid growth of the plants enable them to be grown throughout their life cycles on sterile, nutrient agar in ordinary' test tubes. Alternatively, up to 50 plants may be grown on silica gel in crystallizing dishes. For optimal growth the trace element cations should be chelated and light should be excluded from the roots. When supplied with sucrose the plants absorb only the glucose portion. During growth the plants excrete small quantities of vitamins and other substances into the medium but not in amounts likely to prevent the detection of growth mutants through cross-feeding.