A technique for maintaining explants in contact with solid medium in petri dishes

The objective of this study was to develop a system to maintain orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) leaf segments in contact with solid medium in petri dishes during different orientation of the dishes. To ensure contact with the medium, leaf segments were overlaid with 1800 μm Teflon™ mesh. This was secured with a polypropylene ring which fitted between the petri dish lid and the mesh. This procedure did not affect the somatic embryogenesis response. A significant difference (P=0.05) in increased ethylene accumulation from overlaid segments was recorded on day 5.