user manual* - borlaug plant growth chamber facility · 2018-04-23 · texas a&m coals &...
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Texas A&M COALS & AgriLife Research IPGB Borlaug Growth Chamber Facility User Manual Ver 9.21.17
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User Manual*
Texas A&M COALS & AgriLife Research IPGB Borlaug
Plant Growth Chamber Facility (BPGCF)
Version 9/21/17
*This draft document is under development by an advisory committee. It follows a review of
best practices from several facilities and may be revised as needed.
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Table of Contents
Section Title Version
1.0 Scope, Mission and Vision 6/29/17
2.0 Growth Chamber Management Structure & Contact Information 7/11/17
3.0 Growth Chamber Space Requests, Requirements & Prioritization 7/18/17
4.0 Fees 7/18/17
5.0 Exit Date 6/29/17
6.0 Space Held in Reserve 6/29/17
7.0 Services Provided by the Growth Chamber Crew 6/26/17
8.0 Supplies Provided 6/26/17
9.0 Growth Chamber Users’ Responsibilities 9/21/17
10.0 Communication 6/26/17
11.0 Transferring Plants to and from the Growth Chambers 7/18/17
12.0 Housekeeping 6/26/17
13.0 General Safety 6/26/17
14.0 Biohazardous and Transgenic Plant Materials 6/29/17
15.0 Access 6/26/17
16.0 If There is a Problem 6/26/17
17.0 Chemical Use 6/26/17
Appendix 1: Comparison of facility Conviron units 7/18/17
Appendix 2: Borlaug Growth Chamber Space Request Form 7/18/17
Appendix 3: BPGCF floorplan 6/27/17
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Section 1.0: Mission, Vision & Scope and Purpose Statements
Mission
Provide a state-of-the-art growth chamber facility for COALS & AgriLife Research
faculty to perform cutting-edge plant growth and plant-microbiome research under
sensitively controlled reproducible environmental conditions
Vision
To provide excellent plant growth facilities for all Texas A&M COALS and
AgriLife Research faculty and researchers through continuous pursuit of facility
improvement, service and support of cutting-edge research
Scope and Purpose
This manual applies to the 19 new growth chambers located in the Borlaug
Southern Crop Improvement Center (SCIC Bldg #1513) that houses the Institute
for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology (IPGB)
Intent of Facility:
Plant growth cycles under specific environmental conditions
Studies that require precise temperature, humidity and lighting control
Studies with high probability of novel discoveries and/or programmatic
impacts, including future grant funding opportunities
This facility is not primarily intended for:
Simple propagation of plant materials and other plant-associated
experiments that can be performed using other existing growth chambers
Note: Due to the nature of the diversity of chambers, lighting, and sizes, not all chambers are suitable for
every plant system.
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Section 2.0: Growth Chamber Management Structure & Contact Information
The Growth Chamber Facility Supervisor provides communication to the growth
chamber community, oversees and enforces growth chamber policies and procedures and
makes recommendations to the advisory committee.
Growth Chamber Facility Supervisor is:
Mr. Roger Horn, Manager, Plant Growth Facilities, [email protected], 979-458-4237
Supervisor Assistants:
Mr. Troy W. Vann, [email protected] , TAMU 2123 RM 222;
979-862-3340 (office), 979-324-7999 (cell)
Ms. Stormie Key, [email protected] , TAMU 2123 RM 203;
979-862-4791 (office), 979-220-2880 (cell)
The Growth Chamber Advisory Committee evaluates and approves the growth chamber
policies and procedures and oversees user requests.
Advisory Committee members:
Dr. Sandy Pierson, Chair, Head, Plant Pathology and Microbiology [email protected]
Dr. Marty Dickman, Distinguished Professor, Plant Pathology and Microbiology
Dr. David Baltensperger, Head, Soil and Crops Sciences, [email protected]
Dr. Dan Lineberger, Head, Horticultural Sciences, [email protected]
Dr. Katy Kavanagh, Head, Ecosystem Science and Management, [email protected]
Dr. Trish Klein, Horticultural Sciences, [email protected]
Dr. Bill Dugas*, Associate Vice Chancellor and Associate Dean, [email protected]
Dr. Libo Shan*, Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Interim IPGB Director, [email protected]
*ex officio
Additional Texas A&M Contacts:
Campus Police 911
University Operator 979-845-3211
Environmental Health & Safety 979-845-1348
Facilities Services (SSC) 979-458-5930, aggieworks.tamu.edu
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Section 3.0: Growth Chamber Space Requests, Requirements & Prioritization
The IPGB Borlaug Growth Chamber Facility currently consists of the following Conviron
growth chambers:
Note: All growth chambers are controlled centrally by the Facility Supervisor.
There are no user adjustable controls on each unit.
Appendix 1 has more information on the units.
Conviron PGC Flex reach-in units
Conviron MTPS Flex multi-tier walk-in units
Shelves on both sides of door with space for a
cart.
Model #
units
Shelves Total Growth
area (ft2)
Intensity
(umoles/m2/s)
PGC Flex 11 3/2/1 57/38/19 Top lights 1,000, ea.
Shelf 500
MTPS Flex
walk-in
4 3/2/1 72/48/24 Top lights 1,000, ea.
Shelf 500
BDW walk-in 4 0 40 1,100
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Conviron BDW series walk-in units
3 units with O2 scrubbers & CO2 injection
Requirements:
Requests for growth chamber space or maintenance must be in writing (email) to the
Facilities Supervisor and/or other designated managers before space can be allocated or
maintenance services provided.
Prospective users are encouraged to contact the Facilities Supervisor to discuss their
needs prior to submitting a formal space request.
A valid account number must be submitted prior to occupying the assigned chamber.
Contact information for three people within the requestor’s lab is needed in case facility
personnel need to reach the user. Information should include email and cell, office and
home numbers.
There will be charges for repairs necessitated by improper use or operation of the
assigned unit as determined by the Facilities Supervisor.
Prioritization of User Requests:
If available, space will be provided typically on a first-come, first-served basis. However,
as space becomes limited, prioritization of occupancy may be required.
Requests for occupancy will be evaluated by the Advisory Committee.
Projects submitted for facility use must have concise justifications why this facility must be used
above all other available growth chambers, including evidence that the experimental design
clearly demonstrates a need for the level of environmental control that these growth chambers
provide (see Appendix 2). These growth chambers typically are not intended for routine use such
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as tissue culture, plant propagation, stock plant maintenance, or other experimental conditions
that could be satisfied by use of existing growth chambers, greenhouse or laboratory conditions.
The growth chamber facility primarily is intended for short duration projects (~3-6 months) and
is not intended for long-term use.
Assignment of space by the Growth Chamber Committee is based after consideration of multiple
criteria:
1. Use by faculty and staff from COALS and AgriLife Research faculty
2. Date of initial request.
3. Justification for need of this facility versus others.
4. The match of the request to available space (availability, required light intensity).
5. Length of experiment, short-term (less than 3 months) studies given priority.
6. The current faculty rank of the requesting faculty member.
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Section 4.0: Fees
Fees associated with growth chambers are to partially offset costs associated with maintenance,
personnel and replacement. Fees are subject to change. A proportion of IDC from faculty grants
was used to purchase the units and will supplement the user fees for maintenance costs, etc.
Parameters determining fees includes:
Maintenance contract costs (Conviron)
Labor costs (oversight, scheduling, IPM and cleaning)
Replacement bulb costs (incandescent, T5 bulbs, metal halide)
Service costs for O2 scrubbers, CO2 injectors
Fees are listed on a monthly basis per chamber Since the facility operates several
different models, fees are structured to reflect the unit being used related to the relative
square footage available for plant growth and maintenance required.
All users are required to supply a valid account number before occupation of their
assigned space.
Chamber model &
Number
Plant growth area
(ft2)
Rate/Chamber Funds/yr/chamber
for Maintenance
PGC Flex reach-in (11) 57 using 3 shelves $150* $1,800
MTPS Flex walk-in (4) 72 using 3 shelves $150* $1,800
BDW walk-in (1) 40 (0 shelves) $150* $1,800
BDW walk-in with
atmospheric control (3)
40 (0 shelves) $175** $2,100
Total for
Maintenance:***
$35,100/yr
* Base fee of $150/month per chamber
** Base fee of $150 + 25/month plus maintenance for O2/CO2 control per chamber
***Based on use of all chambers for entire 12 mo
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Section 5.0: Exit Date
In order to provide for efficient space allocation and the orderly transition from one
growth chamber user to the next, users must provide an estimated exit date with their
space requests.
If it becomes apparent that a project will extend beyond the stated exit date, contact the
Facility Supervisor as soon as possible. Extension of the exit date may not be possible if a
commitment has been made to provide the space to another user.
Growth chamber users will be held to the stated exit date if another user is waiting to use
the space.
Users vacating growth chamber space before their stated exit date will be charged until
the stated exit date.
Growth chambers are extremely energy intensive to operate. The use of growth chambers
will be monitored closely to minimize the times that they are running needlessly. To help
in this effort, please have your plants ready to put into the chamber soon after your start
date. Notify the chamber crew or growth chamber supervisor immediately when your
experiment ends so that the chamber can be turned off.
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Section 6.0: Space Held in Reserve
To promote the fullest utilization of the College’s limited and valuable growth chamber
facilities, unoccupied areas held in reserve at a user’s request will be charged for as if the
space were occupied.
The fee for unoccupied space will equal the standard applicable growth chamber use
charge.
Users wishing to reserve an unoccupied space for longer periods may ask the growth
chamber supervisor to attempt to find a short-term user for the interim. There is, however,
no guarantee that such an attempt will be successful.
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Section 7.0 Services Provided by the Growth Chamber Crew
All normal maintenance and repair required keep growth chambers operating within
specification will be provided by the facility. Additional charges may be levied for
extraordinary repairs and maintenance necessitated by equipment abuse by chamber
users.
The Facility Supervisor has sole control of the unit settings. Changes in the
environmental parameters need to be conveyed to the Facility Supervisor.
7.1 Growth Chamber Maintenance Provided by the Facility Supervisor
Visiting the growth chamber and monitoring equipment performance, as appropriate for
the type and condition of the unit.
Preventative maintenance.
Diagnosis and repair or replacement of failed components.
Setting and adjustment of all chamber environmental controls.
Re-lamping on a scheduled basis, near the end of the useful life of the lamps.
7.2 Plant Care
All plant care is the responsibility of the growth chamber user.
No user applied pesticide treatments are allowed.
7.3 Integrated Pest Management (Performed only by facility staff)
Pest and disease control services for plants in growth chambers is available from facility
personnel where practical and as resources allow.
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Section 8.0: Supplies Provided
All supplies needed for normal growth chamber equipment operation, maintenance and repair
will be provided by the facility at no additional cost to the user.
Plant growing materials, such as pots, trays, potting media, stakes, tags and markers are not
included in the growth chamber space charges. It is the responsibility of the user to obtain these
supplies, as well as watering cans and other tools needed to grow plants and conduct experiments
using the standard protocols for greenhouse pot and soil costs.
No outside user-supplied pots, etc. may be used
By request, the following routine supplies will be provided by the facility at an additional charge:
• selected sizes and styles of bamboo stakes, twist ties and pot labels
• plastic trays with various cell pack inserts
• 4” and 6” pots
• 1, 2 and 3 gallon nursery pots
• selected cell trays
• Plant growth media mixes:
ο Soilless
ο Soil-based
• Media components:
ο Vermiculite
ο Perlite
ο Peat
NOTE: Contact the facility staff details regarding supply use and location.
Adjacent space available for planting and sampling
Adjacent to the GC room is an area (Rm 110) available for potting and sampling.
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Section 9.0: Growth Chamber Users’ Responsibilities
Always contact the Facility Supervisor or staff.
This facility will succeed only if all users share responsibility for operation of the facility
with the support staff. Open communication regarding equipment function and program
needs will facilitate optimum maintenance, reduce problems and promote productive
relationships between users and staff.
All users should bear in mind their responsibilities to their colleagues who work in shared
facilities. Proper care of equipment and prompt action to prevent, detect and correct plant
pest and disease outbreaks are fundamental requirements for use of the growth chamber
facility.
Users are financially responsible for all aspects of project-specific growth chamber or
research equipment. Permission must be obtained from the Facility Supervisor prior to
installing equipment as it could interfere with growth chamber controls and function, or
the work of subsequent facility users. Examples include racks, shelving, humidification
systems, additional lights of any sort, mist systems, tanks and trellises.
If you require your chamber to be locked via a padlock, it must be supplied by the facility
staff. We must be able to access all chambers in case of electrical or water issues.
Unauthorized locks will be cut off.
No electrical cords may be left along the floor. All cords must be to code and used with
the permission of the facility staff. Outlets in the facility cannot be overloaded with
devices.
User responsibilities include:
Thoughtfully providing information concerning the growth chamber space request (see
Section 3.0) with particular attention to the following:
ο space requirements, exact environmental parameters required
ο use of gases, such as CO2 or ethylene, that may affect nearby growth chambers
ο intended use of plant pathogens or pests
ο likelihood of introducing any plant pathogens or pests on incoming plant material
ο startup date and exit date
o contact information (email, telephone) for three members of the user’s lab
Spacing plants, equipment and apparatus properly to ensure proper air movement, access
for watering and pest scouting.
Communicating concerns and observations regarding growth chamber equipment
function promptly to the Facility Supervisor or staff.
Communicating plant problems (pests and infectious diseases) promptly to the Facility
Supervisor or staff.
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Keeping growth chamber and work areas sanitary and orderly.
Taking care to keep potting soil out of drains.
Terminating experiments and discarding plants in a timely manner.
Providing proper bags for autoclaving plant material when necessary.
Communicating with the Facility Supervisor manager
Obtaining permission from the Facility Supervisor prior to installation or placement of
project-specific equipment in the growth chambers.
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Section 10.0: Communication
To ensure the proper functioning of the facility, immediately inform the Facility
Supervisor or a staff member of:
ο alarms
ο malfunctioning equipment
ο any situation that you think may require attention
To prevent the spread of plant pests and diseases amongst the greenhouses and growth
chambers, please promptly inform the growth chamber supervisor of:
ο known/undiagnosed potentially transmissible plant diseases in a chamber
ο pests on plants
Users should respond without delay to queries or requests from the Facility Supervisor or
staff.
Notify the Facility Supervisor promptly of changes in project requirements.
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Section 11.0: Transferring Plants to and from the Growth Chambers
Movement of plant material is one of the primary methods by which plant pests and
diseases are spread between plant growth facilities. These pests and diseases can be
extremely difficult to control, and may lead to the destruction of valuable plant material,
negative impact on research and teaching programs, with significant costs.
All plant growth facility users are responsible for following established protocols for
plant movement in and out of the growth chamber and associated facilities.
11.1 Bringing Plants into the Growth Chambers
Incoming plants must be free of pests and diseases. Ask the Facility Supervisor for
assistance if you do not have the necessary training.
Pest control measures may be required before moving plants into the assigned growth
chamber.
Note that safety concerns, AgriLife policy and legal requirements preclude the
application of most pesticide in growth chambers. Moving plants to a space suitable for
pesticide application is often not practical, and such space may not be available.
Introduction of pests or disease into a growth chamber may result in plants unfit for the
intended purpose, loss of experimental data and no recourse other than destruction of the
plant material.
In certain cases of pest infestation or disease, plants will not be allowed into the growth
chamber.
11.2 Transferring Plants to the Borlaug Greenhouses
Arrangement for greenhouse space must be made in advance through the Facility
Supervisor.
Incoming plants must be inspected for pests and diseases by the greenhouse supervisor,
plant growth facilities manager or their designees. Trained and qualified growth chamber
or greenhouse users may receive such designation – inquire.
Pest control measures or isolation may be required before moving plants into the assigned
greenhouse.
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Section 12.0: Housekeeping
12.1 General
Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPM) starts with clean plant growth facilities.
The growth chamber staff takes both a preventative and curative approach to maintaining
facility cleanliness.
Users are required to assist with general clean up to maintain a safe, sanitary, and orderly
work environment for fellow researchers and support staff. Users who do not maintain a
clean environment will receive a warning and must amend the situation within 2 days.
Receipt of several warnings may result in the requirement to remove all materials from
the facility with low prioritization for future usage.
All general clean up in growth chambers is the responsibility of the user.
General housekeeping requirements for users include:
o Clean worktables and/or potting benches after potting.
o Clean floors, racks, shelves and benches during and after terminating
experiments.
o Dead plant materials and potting media, as well as live plants, can harbor pests.
Promptly discard unneeded plant material, either directly to outdoor compost bins or in
covered compost cans where provided. Replace lids to reduce insect and disease
potential. In locations where no compost collection containers are present, use covered
trash cans or take materials directly to waste collection dumpsters.
o Clean sinks after each use and limit the amount of soil going down drains.
12.2 Storage
No storage space is available within the facility.
Please contact the Facility Supervisor to discuss storage options.
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Section 13.0: General Safety
Safety is the highest priority.
Communicate with the Facility Supervisor when you see an unsafe condition or act.
Cooperate with the facility managers to ensure your own safety, as well as that of your
colleagues.
It is the PI’s responsibility to ensure that they and all members of their laboratory know
the location of all safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, emergency showers and
eyewashes, phones, and first aid kits.
Know the emergency evacuation procedure for your area.
Know where to find safety information, including material safety data sheets and
pesticide labels.
Know emergency phone numbers.
Closed-toed shoes must be worn.
No food or drinks, or smoking is allowed in the growth chamber facility.
Only in the case of approved use of pesticides…
Attend Worker Protection Standard training if you will work with pesticide-treated plant
materials.
Employees and students handling pesticide-treated plant material are strongly encouraged
to wear gloves and to wash their hands after working with plants.
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Section 14.0: Biohazardous and Transgenic Plant Materials
All research that involves the use of transgenic plants, plant pathogens, toxins and
recombinant DNA must have an approved Institutional Biosafety (IBC) Permit prior to
initiation of the research. If your plant research will involve the use of these agents, you
cannot put your plants into the growth chamber facility or greenhouse unless those
facilities are listed on your IBC permit as they will require inspection by a Biological
Safety Officer.
For more information, visit http:// https://vpr.tamu.edu/compliance/rcc/ibc. Note that in many
cases plants must be autoclaved before disposal, including those that are:
o transgenic
o virus-infected
o legally quarantined
o otherwise biologically hazardous
o otherwise required to be autoclave by research protocols
Project personnel are responsible for:
Providing autoclave bags. If the bag has a biohazard symbol, please place inside a
secondary black bag
Placing all materials in approved bag, sealing with autoclave tape.
There are no autoclaves in the growth chamber facility. Therefore, the user must ensure a
method to transport bagged autoclave waste out of the facility and proper autoclaving and
disposal according to university policies.
Failure to comply with Federal and State laws and/or procedures
may result in fines and/or loss of access to the facility.
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Section 15.0: Access
Access is primarily via the plant preparation area (Rm 110).
There is a card access door on the north side of the facility (see Appendix 3). If you or
your lab personnel require card access, you must contact Casey Baggett at
[email protected] and provide him with the name and UIN of the individual requiring
card access. Typically this request should come from the lab PI.
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Section 16.0: If there is a Problem
If there is an immediate concern to preserve life or property, call 911.
Caring for the wide variety of growth chambers in the facility requires a broad range of
specialized technical skills and knowledge. The staff members are trained and
experienced, and are here to provide service and assistance to all growth chamber users.
In situations where service does not meet expectations, communication failure is most
likely the problem.
If your expectations are unmet, we ask that you share your concern with the Facility
Supervisor. The supervisor is responsible for coverage of the facility and can be reached
at the addresses and numbers listed in Section 2.0 of this policy.
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Section 17.0: Chemical Use
No chemical may be taken into the growth chamber facility (or greenhouses or associated
facilities) without prior consent of the Facility Supervisor.
Permission to use chemicals is temporary and only those that are being actively used (at
least once per month) may be stored in the growth chambers. Chemicals used less
frequently must be transported to and from the growth chamber for each use unless
special arrangement is made with the facility supervisor or manager.
It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that all applicable chemical labeling, signage,
notification, transportation, storage, exposure, and usage laws and regulations are fully
complied with.
The Facility Supervisor may require that University Environmental Health and Safety
personnel be consulted before giving permission for use of potentially hazardous
materials.
Growth chamber and greenhouse users must:
o Contact the Facility Supervisor before bringing any chemicals into the growth
chamber or associated non-laboratory areas such as head-houses, hallways and storage
cabinets.
o Comply with all applicable OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR
1910.1200) requirements, including those for labeling, Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDSs), and inventories.
o Label all containers with owner’s name and normal/emergency contact numbers.
o Work with the Facility Supervisor to ensure that Material Safety Data Sheets are
readily accessible to all employees.
o Work with the Facility Supervisor to maintain an up to date on-site inventory of
all chemicals used or stored at the facility.
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Appendix 1: BPGCF Growth Chambers
Chamber types:
BDW: Provides top-down airflow that ensures consistent plant canopy temperatures throughout the chamber. The standard lighting package for the BDW series chamber generates moderate to high level light intensity and incorporates metal halide and halogen incandescent lamps. Key Product Attributes • High light availability (1,100 umoles/m2/s) with unparalleled light uniformity • Discrete lamp loft mitigates heat transfer to chamber area • Top down airflow for uniform plant canopy temperatures • Extended height for growth of large plants to maturity
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PGC FLEX: Highly flexible. In its standard configuration, the chamber operates as a single-tier chamber with a counterbalanced light canopy and upward airflow. A conversion alters the chamber’s configuration to either a double or triple tier configuration with medium light intensity and horizontal airflow.
In its standard, single-tier configuration, the PGC
FLEX combines T5 fluorescent and halogen
incandescent lamps spectrum with
1,125 micromoles/m2/s intensity.
The multi-tier configuration reduces this light intensity to 500 micromoles/m2/s in the 2-tier
and 3-tier configurations.
Flexible for single-tier, 2-tier or 3-tier operation
Flexible airflow with either upward or horizontal discharge
Maximum growth area with multiple application use
Top-mounted refrigeration system and machine compartment minimizes footprint, accommodates serviceability, and simplifies installation
MTPS Flex
SERIES: The Flex option allows the MTPS to be converted from a tall plant/high light/single tier configuration (1,000 umoles/m2/s) to a short plant/low light/two or three-tier configuration (500 umoles/m2/s).
Incorporates both T8 fluorescent and halogen incandescent lamps for a broad based light spectrum ideally suited for plant growth. Lamp canopies are secured to stationary plant shelves within the chamber while an option is provided for lamp canopies to be cantilevered from the wall to allow for rolling plant carts that can roll into place between the canopies. • Modular design that easily accommodates variable sizes • Multi-tier application to maximize plant growth area • Horizontal airflow to enable use of flats without impeding airflow
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Appendix 2: Borlaug Growth Chamber Space Request Form
Request for growth chamber/room (submit to the growth chamber committee chair at
least one month before the desired starting date).
PI (plus contact info):
______________________________________________
Approved Users (plus contact info):
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
Type of chamber requested (circle): Indicate number of chambers.
PGC MTPS BDW BDW+CO2
Plant spp. used: ___________________________________
Expected plant height at end of experiment: _______________________
Start Date: __________________________________
End Date: __________________________________
Justification: [a succinct description of the experimental goals. List rationale for use of the
BPGCF over other available chambers. Priority is given to projects where this facility is the only
appropriate. The Advisory Committee must be able to follow the logic (Section 3.0)].
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Account to be charged: ___________________________
Submitted by: ______________________________________ Date:________________
Please submit to: Sandy Pierson ([email protected])
NOTES:
Approval limited to 3 month period beginning August 1- Oct. 31 only.
This is a trial period at the reduced monthly rate. The facility is not liable for
reimbursement for equipment issues during the trial period.
For use by growth chamber committee:
Approval or rejection (state explanation):
Chamber(s) assigned:_______________________
Starting date:_______________________, Ending Date:______________________
(A copy of this form will be given to accounting and fees will be deducted from user accounts.)
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For additional information:
BDW Chamber: http://www.conviron.com/sites/default/files/BDW%20Data%20Sheet.pdf
MTPS Flex Chamber: http://www.conviron.com/products/mtps-walk-in-plant-growth-room-
with-flex-option
PGC Flex Chamber:
http://www.conviron.com/sites/default/files/PGC%20Flex%20Data%20Sheet_0.pdf