A Technique for the Sterile Culture of Roots

Abstract

THE experimental methods which have been employed for studies of metallic ion deficiency effects in plant and animal chromosomes have hitherto involved the entire organism^1,2, and consequently have been under conditions of only partial control. It seemed desirable to design a method by which control of cell nutrition could be more closely approached. The method was developed for use in investigations of the effects of metallic ion deficiencies or excesses on chromosome structure, but it is not limited to experiments of this type. The technique has a two-fold advantage. In addition to maintaining control of nutrition, it is possible to use clonal lines of tissue for cytological studies, since many lateral roots can be obtained from a single bean of Vicia faba, and these-roots can be maintained in culture. Brown and Possingham³ have used a root-culture technique for investigations of the effect of iron in Pisum, but their method differs somewhat from that described here because of a difference in the handling of the organisms, and the purposes for which the roots w^ere cultured were not entirely the same.