The PNT is a computer-controlled, highly flexible growth facility with independent control of the shoot and root environments. The facility consists of two growth cabinets each containing four separate hydroponic growth systems. The growth cabinets can be used as assimilation chambers with individual control of temperature, humidity, light and CO2 and the chambers are connected to an O2 monitoring system. The hydroponic growth systems are connected to nutrient supply units with disinfecting systems and individual control of temperature, pH and oxygen. The system has automated calibration procedures of the analytical equipment and prolonged studies of plant growth can be performed without any changes in environmental parameters.
Reprints are available.
Each growth cabinet has 32 root vessels arranged in a block design with eight blocks of four vessels. The four vessels in each block are connected to separate inlet and drainage manifolds. Each root vessels can be supplied by up to four litres of solution per minute. Open top chambers can be mounted airtight on each root vessel in order to modify the atmosphere of single plants or to monitor gas exchange. The Department has a number of phytotrons and experiments with submerged or emerged aquatic plants can be carried out in experimental rooms and phytotrons with various degree of environmental control.