Slant board mounting fixture for seed germination

Authors: CHANDRAMOULI, SURAJ - Rice University; Dzakovich, Michael

Submitted to: Electronic Publication
Publication Type: Database / Dataset
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/19/2024
Publication Date: 9/19/2024
Citation: Chandramouli, S.K., Dzakovich, M.P. 2024. Slant board mounting fixture for seed germination. NIH 3D. https://doi.org/10.60705/3dpx/21396.1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.60705/3dpx/21396.1

Interpretive Summary: Uniformly germinating seedlings for hydroponics is challenging. Fine root hairs become entangled in media and separating them can cause damage, introduce pathogens, and otherwise hamper seedling growth. A slant board approach allows for uniform seedling germination, downward rootgrowth, and vigorous seedlings that are easy to transplant. This 3D printed device allows for up to 8 acrylic slant boards to be installed for simultaneous germination and maintains slant boards at a 75° angle. Two sets of slant board fixtures can be used side by side to maximize stability. This tool facilitates the use of slant boards for germinating a variety of crops studied using hydroponics systems. Moreover, this tool can be re-purposed for other applications as users see fit.

Technical Abstract: Germinating seedlings for hydroponics research can be challenging due to fine roots becoming entangled in growth media. Separating delicate seedling roots from media can damage them causing irreparable harm to the seedling. Slant boards allow for uniform germination of seedlings while encouraging downward root development. This tool facilitates up to 8 slant boards maintained at a 75° angle. This tool has a direct application for horticulturists and plant biologists, but may be re-purposed for a variety of uses by other scientists.