Standard Operating Procedure
Title:
Department: Agronomy
Created by: Danielle Dykema, Kendra Meade
Laboratory: Crop Production & Physiology Lab Suite
Supervisor: Bill Beavis
Lab Supervisor: Whitney Bouma
Date approved:
Procedure Overview:
This procedure describes transferring Arabidopsis thaliana plants from a media plate to a pot
with soil. The soil mixture is a layer of potting soil and fertilizer over a layer of vermiculite. The
filled pots are moistened with water before the plants are transferred. The protocol described
here specifically addresses preparation of pots and transference of young Arabidopsis plants.
Equipment and reagents necessary:
Reagents:
Vermiculite
Potting soil – LC1
Fertilizer - Osmocote
Water – 2.5L
Equipment:
Planting trays
Plastic humidity lids
Spray bottle
Pots
2L container
Spatula
Forceps
Autoclave
Disposables:
Nitrile gloves
Biosafety bag
Procedure:
1. 24 hours before transferring plants to soil, fill pots half with vermiculite and sprinkle 5-7
granules of Osmocote over the top and then half with dry soil. Place on white rectangular
tray; make sure pots are full, but that soil is not packed.
2. Add 2 Liters of water to tray and spray with water using the spray bottle
3. Cover with plastic humidity lid and wait 2 hours then, add 500mL of water to tray ensuring
that the soil is moist.
4. 24 hours later: when transferring plants, check that the soil is moist and then make a hole in
the center of the pot using a metal spatula.
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5. Unwrap plate containing plants, and transfer plants to soil by removing plant from plate
using forceps (grasp the plant by its leaves/hypocotyl, NOT its ROOTS).
6. Cover root with soil.
7. After all plants have been transferred, cover the tray with the humidity lid and place in
greenhouse.
8. Set plastic lid off-center after 3 days and remove entirely after 5 days.
9. Place plates into biosafety bad and autoclave.
Personal Protective Equipment / Engineering Controls:
Lab coat, eye protection and hand protection must be selected as required by Section D of the EH&S
Laboratory Safety Manual. Check the box(es) next to the item(s) which are appropriate for your
procedure.
Nitrile gloves
Safety glasses
Face shield
Dust mask
Latex gloves
Splash goggles
Lab coat
Fume hood
Neoprene gloves
Vented goggles
Apron
Biosafety cabinet
Insulated gloves
Eye wash station
Safety shower
Respirator
Note: Open-toed and heeled shoes are NOT allowed.
Other Control Measures:
Handling & Storage Precautions:
Store in a cool, dry area away from incompatible materials such as aluminium and magnesium. Store
away from feed and foodstuffs.
Waste Disposal Procedures:
Waste Management/Disposal: Apply as fertilizer to field. If product is contaminated, dispose of in an
approved landfill disposal facility, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local regulations.
GMO Plant Disposal: Place material in autoclave bag and autoclave all GMO plant matter.
Spill/Release Containment and Clean Up/Decontamination Procedures:
If material is uncontaminated, collect and re-use as recommended for product. If contaminated, put in
appropriate container and dispose. Keep spills away from drinking water supplies. After cleaning up spill,
flush area with water.
Health & Safety Summary for Required Reagents:
Brief description of associated hazards
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Target
Organ(s)
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Incompatibilities
Strong reducing
agents. Active
metals such as
aluminium and
magnesium
Insert rows as
needed
 The above summary consists of guidelines for proper handling & disposal of
chemicals used in this procedure. You must read and understand the contents
of the entire MSDS(s) before starting this procedure.
References:
List references used in preparing this procedure.
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