[Arabidopsis] brands of agar

Dear Tanya,
Some years ago, we investigated a variety of different agars
(some of which you mention). We found reproducible differences in
root elongation rate but perhaps on the order of 10 to 20 %. Clearly
the roots liked some agar better than others. We also found a little
bit later when using phytagel that root elongation rate depended on
the temperature the molten mix was held at before pouring, or might
have simply been quite irreproducible. But again I am talking about
differences on the order of 20%. Big enough to readily measure but
not monstrous. On no agar did we see the kind of developmental change
you are mentioning. On some conditions I have seen (and read) that
severely salt stressed or water deficit stressed roots will swell so
I'd guess what you are describing goes way beyond what can be
expected from different brands/formulations of agar.

Hope this helps,
Tobias

At 3:10 PM -0600 2/9/08, Falbel, Tanya G. wrote:


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