I am working with Combiness Microboxes filled with granulated clay that is watered with half-strength MS-medium (w.o. sucrose). We use them in our lab to raise axenic or gnotobiotic plants. However, the humidity inside the boxes is at 95-100% and neither adding larger breathable filters nor watering the plants with less liquid seems to decrease it. Does anybody have an idea on how we could reduce humidity or evaporation?
Thank you,
Ben
Maybe you construct a condenser using a small peltier element attached with the cold side to the box. Water vapor will condense at the cold spot and the condensed water will flow back to the substrate. Peltier elements are available in many sizes. My colleagues managed to decrease humiditiy significantly in small closed green house.
Dear Dr. Maier
You can use vented boxes or tubes. These boxes or jars have a 0,22 micrometer filter on top which avoid water condensation and also facilitates gas exchange.
Please, look at the link I enclose to see the aspect that these recipients have. You can get them from Sigma and from most companies selling plant cell culture articles
http://www.bio-equip.cn/eWebEditor/UploadFile/6009.jpg
Dear Dr. Gómez-Rodgríguez,
the Microboxes we use already have the small filter on top. I put the link in below. The humidity is still too high. Dr. Richter's suggested system would work, however it would be unsuitable due to our chambers space restrictions and our need for high throughput.
Thank you for your answer,
Ben
PS: Sadly, I am not a Doctor yet. But thanks for the promotion!
http://www.microbox-container.com/about-the-microbox.html
If above answers do not provide workable solution for reduction of humidity you may slightly increase temperature in microbox. It is trial and error attempt.
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