A laboratory plant growth chamber is a controlled environment used for researching and growing plants. These chambers are designed to mimic the natural conditions that plants require in order to thrive, including temperature, humidity, and light conditions.
Temperature is an important factor in a plant growth chamber, as it affects the rate at which a plant can photosynthesize and grow. The optimal temperature range for most plants is between 20-25°C. If the temperature is too low, plant growth will be slowed, and if the temperature is too high, the plant may be damaged or even killed.
Humidity is another important factor in a plant growth chamber, as it affects the rate of transpiration (the process by which water is lost from the leaves) and the absorption of nutrients. The optimal humidity range for most plants is between 40-60%. If the humidity is too low, the plant may wilt, and if the humidity is too high, the plant may become susceptible to fungal or bacterial infections.
Light is also an important factor in a plant growth chamber, as it is required for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. Most plants require a minimum of 12 hours of light per day in order to grow properly. The intensity and spectrum of light can also be controlled, with red and blue light being the most important for photosynthesis.
In addition to controlling temperature, humidity, and light conditions, laboratory plant growth chambers can also be equipped with other features such as irrigation systems, nutrient delivery systems, and monitoring equipment. This allows researchers to precisely control the conditions under which plants are grown and study their responses.
It's worth mentioning that the requirement of these conditions may vary based on the species of plants, stage of growth, or the research question in hand. Therefore, the conditions inside a growth chamber may be customized accordingly.
Overall, a laboratory plant growth chamber is an essential tool for researchers in botany, horticulture, and agriculture, as it allows them to study the growth and development of plants under controlled conditions. With the help of these chambers, scientists can better understand how plants respond to different environmental conditions and develop new ways to improve crop yields and plant growth.
What is plant Growth Chambers
Growth Chambers mimic the environmental conditions of the plant or insect, temperature, humidity and lighting and are very common in research laboratories in the field of plant science, insects, seeds, cannabis and algae.
In a growth incubator / Growth Chamber you can germinate seeds, grow mushrooms, grow low and tall plants, Grow cannabis and grow algae and also grow insects and mosquitoes.The growing area is determined according to the dimensions of the shelves and the number of shelves in the cell, with lighting on the cell ceiling and on each shelf, So that the shelf below it gets lighting. The larger the shelf space and the larger the number of shelves it will cause a larger growing area
Plant Growth Chamber: Heat / Cold / Lighting / Humidity.
Uses of Growth Chamber:
-Growing tall plants
-Growing low plants
Seeds
-Entomology-Insect research
-Cannabis
-mushrooms
-algae.
-In addition to a growth incubator can be used as a regular incubator, an incubator for tissue cultures.
Types of Incubator Lighting:
-Lighting types: Fluorescent lighting or color and wavelength lighting -Usually 6000 Kelvin.
LED lighting is energy efficient and lasts longer. You can get lighting in different colors and UV lighting.
Intensity: If greater lighting intensity is required, it will be possible to place lighting fixtures in greater quantity and at a higher density.
- The location of the lighting depends on the type of plants, low or high, for tall plants the lighting will be placed vertically on the sides,
For low plants the lighting will be placed horizontally on the shelves. If the plant is lower, it will be possible to get more shelves. This will allow for shelf space and a larger growing area.
Incubator humidity: Plants like cannabis, mushrooms and insects also require moisture control while growing, mushrooms require a high humidity of 95%.
Cell size and shelf size of Growth Incubator:
The required growing area and the shelf space from which the cell size is derived:
The small 150-liter incubators with two shelves in an area of 0.6 square meters.
In the standard 550 liter incubator with 5 shelves in an area of 2 square meters.
As the cell size increases in the size of the shelves and the number of shelves, so does the growing area.
When the areas are very large, you should consider moving beyond growth rooms.
plantGrowth chambers Temperature Range:
The temperature range of growth incubators is 0 to 60 ° C.
When the lighting is working, it heats and reduces the lower range to 10 degrees Celsius or even more (depending on the amount of lighting).
Humidity range:
Moisture cells have a system for adding moisture in the range of 50-95%. It is needed mainly in crops, such as cannabis and mushrooms (95%).
Special:
Growing mushrooms requires an opening for fresh air
Growing algae requires lighting in a shaker.
CO2 incubator with lighting and shaker.
Types of control:
Manual temperature/humidity control with timers for day and night lighting.
-Automatic programmer for determining temperature/humidity / lighting profiles
Applications of laboratory plant growth chamber
In a laboratory plant growth chamber, a wide variety of plants and seeds can be grown, depending on the research goals and the capabilities of the particular chamber. Some common types of plants that are grown in growth chambers include:
Small-scale crops such as lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs.
Grains such as wheat, corn, and rice.
Legumes such as soybeans and peas.
Trees and shrubs such as fruit trees and ornamental plants.
Transgenic plants, which have had their genomes altered to study the effects of genetic modification.
In general, most plants that are grown in a laboratory growth chamber are chosen based on the research goals, they could be plants that are of economical importance or plants that are difficult to grow in the field, or plants that are of ecological/environmental importance.
As for mushrooms, it's possible to grow mushrooms in a laboratory plant growth chamber, but typically, mushroom cultivation requires different environmental conditions such as lower temperature and higher humidity than most plants. Additionally, mushroom cultivation requires specific substrates and spores, which may not be provided in a growth chamber designed for plants. However, there are special chambers made for mushroom cultivation, these chambers often consist of the features that are ideal for the growth and fruiting of different species of mushrooms.
Laboratory plant growth chambers are designed for growing a wide variety of plants and seeds, but not all growth chambers can accommodate the special conditions needed for mushroom cultivation. However, there are specialized growth chamber for mushrooms.
MRC supply a wide range of plant growth chambers, each one tailored for specific types of plants and research. Here are some examples of MRC chambers that are designed for different plant types and research applications:
Short plant chambers: These chambers are designed for growing small, compact plants such as herbs, small-scale crops, and small ornamental plants. They typically have a smaller footprint and are designed for benchtop use. These chambers can be equipped with a range of light spectra, including white, red, blue and far red, to support photosynthesis, photomorphogenesis and photoperiodism.
Tall plant chambers: These chambers are designed for growing taller plants such as trees and shrubs. They may be taller than short plant chambers and have a larger footprint. These chambers can also be equipped with lighting systems that simulate natural light conditions and provide a range of light spectra to support the growth and development of tall plants.
Germination chambers: These chambers are designed for germinating seeds and starting plants from seedlings. They typically have a lower light intensity than other chambers and maintain humidity and temperature that would be suitable for the germination process. These chambers can also be equipped with water and nutrient delivery systems to provide optimal conditions for seed germination.
Entomology chambers: These chambers are designed for researching insects and arthropods. They typically have a higher light intensity than other chambers and can be equipped with features such as observation windows, aeration systems, and temperature and humidity controls to provide optimal conditions for rearing insects.
Tissue culture chambers: These chambers are designed for growing plant cells, tissues, and organs in a laboratory setting. They are typically equipped with features such as laminar flow hoods, nutrient delivery systems, and temperature and humidity controls to provide optimal conditions for tissue culture.
MRC offers a wide range of plant growth chambers, each one tailored to a specific type of plant or research application. Depending on the research needs, scientists can choose from a variety of chambers that are designed for growing short plants, tall plants, germinating seeds, researching insects, or growing plant cells and tissues in culture.
What is a Plant Growth Incubator?
A plant growth incubator is a specialized chamber designed to provide precise control over the environmental conditions necessary for plant development. Whether you’re cultivating crops, conducting genetic research, or simply growing plants in a challenging climate, these devices help maintain optimal levels of light, humidity, temperature, and air circulation. They serve as a cornerstone for agricultural and botanical research, allowing scientists and cultivators to simulate various environmental conditions.
Key Features of a Plant Growth Incubator
Temperature Control
The temperature is crucial for plant growth, as each species thrives in a specific temperature range. A plant growth incubator allows for precise control, ensuring the environment is never too hot or too cold for the plants' needs.
Humidity Regulation
Maintaining the right level of humidity is essential, especially for tropical plants. Growth incubators enable fine-tuning of humidity to meet the specific moisture requirements of the plants inside.
Light Intensity and Photoperiod
Light is a key driver of photosynthesis, and growth incubators come with customizable lighting systems. You can adjust the intensity and the duration of light exposure (photoperiod), simulating day and night cycles tailored to the plant species.
CO2 Concentration Management
Carbon dioxide plays a critical role in photosynthesis, and incubators with CO2 control help enhance growth rates. By managing CO2 levels, you can encourage faster and healthier plant growth.
Air Circulation
Proper air circulation is vital to prevent mold, diseases, and pests. Incubators often come with fans or ventilation systems to keep the air inside moving, reducing the risk of stagnant air that could lead to poor plant health.
Why Use a Plant Growth Incubator?
Precision in Research and Development
In plant research, consistency is key. Growth incubators provide controlled environments that ensure each experiment is conducted under identical conditions, eliminating external variables.
Growing Plants in Challenging Conditions
Whether you’re dealing with harsh climates or limited outdoor space, growth incubators allow you to cultivate plants in environments that would otherwise be impossible.
Consistency in Results
When growing plants for research or commercial purposes, maintaining consistency is crucial. Growth incubators provide a stable environment, ensuring that the plants you grow today will be similar to those grown in the future.