Flexible Film Vessels for Storage, Shipping and Acclimatization of Tissue Cultured Plants en Masse

Flexible film closures serve as disposable tissue culture vessels for the final stages of micropropagation or conversion of somatic embryos. Plants can be rapidly grown to virtually any size by configuring the film vessel and media to fit the application. Liquid media (containing sugars) provided as thin-film keep tissue well fed and aerated. Flexible film vessels are particularly well suited to cold storage in the presence of light, or darkness. Film vessels become sealed air packaging to protect plants during shipping. Light weight, minimal media volume and large tissue mass maximize value of air -freight parcels. Clear packaging and translucent media facilitates rapid inspection of vegetative material at port of entry.

The same packaging can be used in natural light to acclimatize plant material. Packaging protects plants from water loss and pests. Increased gas exchange, photo-autotrophic metabolism, and fertigation in the disposable laboratory package (above) hardens plants for direct field use. Temperature control of sealed packages in natural light may be accomplished in a simple companion device described in this invention. Plants in natural light, under temperature control may be acclimatized to field conditions in package and do not require greenhouse nursery.

U.S. Patent # 6,581,327 & U.S. Patent # 6,451,590 issued.

For more information about this technology, please contact:

Vincie Albritton, Associate Director
Phone: (864) 656-5708
Fax: (864) 656-0474
email: valbrit@clemson.edu

or 

Janet Dillon, Project Administrator
Phone: (864) 656-4237
Fax: (864) 656-0474
email: gjanet@clemson.edu

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