Growth Cabinets
Growth cabinets are used for more accurate temperature and/or light control. Currently the School of Plant Science has 24 controlled environment cabinets, in a range of sizes and capabilities. The growth cabinets offer flexible lighting configurations ranging from total darkness to 1000 micromoles m-2s-1 of light from a variety of light sources.
In the cabinets, cool white fluorescent and incandescent lights are generally used mixed to provide a relatively close approximation to natural light. For higher light intensities, high intensity discharge lamps are used. Specific wavelengths are provided by either specialist fluorescent tubes or LED lighting. For more information on artificial light sources, click here.
A number of our growth cabinets and two darkrooms are enclosed in a light proof area to avoid contamination of results from other light sources. This allows us to study the effects of specific wavelengths such as red, blue and far-red on a range of plant responses from de-etiolation (unbending of the apical hook, reduced internode length, formation of chloroplasts and leaves) through to flowering. Specific wavelength ratios can also be examined, as well as light duration. In this way photomorphogenic (plant growth responses to light) responses to light quality, intensity, duration and direction can be examined. For more information on photomorphogenesis, click here or on photomorphogenic research, click here.
Temperature within each growth cabinet can be accurately controlled within 0.2 degrees C. and can range from 0 Degrees Celsius to 45 Degrees C. The growth cabinets include two high light intensity (up to 1000 micromoles m2s-1) capable of maintaining 2 degrees C or less for extended periods. They are particularly useful for studying plant responses to sub alpine conditions.
Carbon dioxide control is also available in the growth cabinets and the controlled environment glasshouse. CO2 levels can be reduced or raised to examine the effects of historic, current and predicted levels of this greenhouse gas on plant growth.
|
