Climate chamber with controlled microclimate and lighting for the adaptation of plant microclones to ex vitro conditions

The transition of microplants from sterile in vitro conditions to a non-sterile ex vitro environment is accompanied by abrupt changes in microclimatic parameters, particularly humidity and gas exchange. This study presents the development of a climate chamber designed to support the adaptation of micropropagated plants to ex vitro conditions. (Research purpose) The study aimed to experimentally verify the performance of a chamber equipped with programmable LED phytolamps and a precision microclimate control system. (Materials and methods) The adaptation experiments were conducted on regenerated redcurrant plants (Ribes rubrum L.) grown in substrate-filled trays. Microclimatic parameters and the spectral composition of radiation were measured using standardized methods. (Results and discussion) The chamber maintains a temperature range of 10 to 35 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity range of 40 to 95 percent. The temperature change rate is 0.9 degrees Celsius per minute during heating and 0.4 degrees Celsius per minute during cooling, while temperature and relative humidity fluctuations do not exceed ±0.6 degrees Celsius and ±3 percent, respectively. Lighting is provided by LED phytolamps with independent control of four spectral channels: blue, 460 nanometers; red, 660 nanometers; far-red, 720 nanometers; and broad-spectrum white, 400– 700 nanometers, with optional ultraviolet radiation in the 380–400 nanometers range. Photosynthetic photon flux density can be adjusted from 34 to 805.7 micromoles per square meter per second. The chamber is operated through a touch-screen interface that enables manual and automatic control, setpoint programming, smooth light-intensity adjustment, and storage of preset templates. Integration with Internet of Things systems is also supported. (Conclusions) The verified characteristics correspond to the declared parameters, confirming the chamber’s suitability for the effective adaptation of micropropagated plants to ex vitro conditions.

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