The three different Ecotypes used as mentioned above were the Landsberg erecta (Ler-0) or N20 strain; the Wassilewskija (Ws-2) or N1601 (NASC stock code) strain and the third came from the Columbia (Col-4) or N933 strain. The seeds were stored in the conditions mentioned in 2.1 and were kept in eppendorfs. Before any on the seeds were planted the soil was examined for moistness. If it was too dry some water was added to the soil so as to generate better germination conditions. Once the soil had been flattened and moistened the 20 seeds of each ecotype were placed onto a piece of card (being careful not to touch with fingers so as not to contaminate the seed) and the seeds were distributed evenly across the top of the soil. It was important that the seeds did not get placed and hence germinate next to each other. The reason being it would be harder to elucidate whether three seedlings were in fact just two if they had germinated and started growing next to each other. This process was repeated twice for each ecotype/strain. This allowed for a greater reliability of results in case of anomalous readings, and it would not be sound scientific practice to carry out only 1 experiment per ecotype.
Once the seeds had been planted the pot is placed in a Zwapak ™ flower sleeve. They were then tied up at the top so as to create a mini propagator for each pot. Depending on the condition the pots were then either placed in the walk in fridge, the freezer or directly to the glass house. Before the pots were transferred tot either the fridge or the freezer they were placed in black polythene bags so as to prevent light from interacting with the seeds. After they had been sown (condition 1) or been removed from the fridge freezer they were transferred to the glasshouse. The glass house is maintained at approximately 22ºC (varying between 18ºC-28ºC) and has a 24 hour photoperiod provided by 10,000 lux globe (Son-T) lighting. Once the seeds have germinated the sleeves are unfurled to form a ‘personal propagator.' (www.Arabidopsis.info/protocol/newgrow.html). This keeps the plant of one line isolated from neighbouring plants, as well as conserving growing space.
Abstract,Introduction,Germination,Dormancy,Temperature,Light,Ecotypes
Ecotype-Storage,Soil preperation,Seed Sowing,Germination-Conditions,Measurement of Results
Cond1,Cond1rep,Cond2,Cond3,Cond4,Cond5,Cond6,Cond6rep,Cond7,Cond8