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Use of Azolla as a test organism in a growth chamber of simple design

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Summary

The construction and application of a new type of growth chamber, in which different growth conditionsi.e.: temperature, humidity, pH, light intensity, light colour, change in nutrient composition and gas exchange can easily be controlled, are presented.

The method has previously been applied to twoAzolla speciesviz. Azolla filiculoides, which is cold tolerant andAzolla pinnata (distinguished in Vietnam as the form Xanh), which is heat tolerant.

In the growth chamber natural growth conditions of the Azolla —Anabaena azollae symbiotic association were imitated as much as possible.

For testing the system, methods discussed earlier8,14 and some previously presented data, concerning photosynthetic activities, such as oxygen evolution and nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) of twoAzolla species39, were partially used. Biomass ofA. filiculoides was measured and reactions to its environment at conditions when grown in the field and in the growth chamber, were studied.

Growth and photosynthesis measurements were performed under special light conditions and with whole plants grown under laboratory conditions.

Anthocyanin synthesis was studied in relation with humidity.

Anthocyanin spectra were analyzed by means of a spectrum-deconvolution method.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biological Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1087, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Harro W. Wong Fong Sang & Vu van Vu

  2. Biochemistry Laboratory, Rijks Universiteit, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Jan W. Kijne,  Vu Thanh Tam & Kees Planque

Authors
  1. Harro W. Wong Fong Sang
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  2. Vu van Vu
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  3. Jan W. Kijne
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  4. Vu Thanh Tam
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  5. Kees Planque
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On leave from the Department of Plant Physiology of the University of Hanoi, Vietnam.

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Wong Fong Sang, H.W., van Vu, V., Kijne, J.W. et al. Use of Azolla as a test organism in a growth chamber of simple design. Plant Soil 99, 219–230 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02370869

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02370869

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