Protocols
Media preparation protocol
Plant tissue culture media combine a basal medium with sugars and, depending on the protocol, vitamins, plant growth regulators, gelling agents, and other additives. This guide explains the general media preparation workflow and shows how to document formulations as media recipes in xPlant.
Reference note: The formulations and preparation steps below are general references, not validated instructions for every species or lab. Verify concentrations, sterilization requirements, and handling procedures against your lab’s SOPs, supplier documentation, and authoritative sources before use.
Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium: reference formulation
Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium is a widely used basal medium in plant tissue culture. The example below provides general formulation context; actual recipes vary by plant, tissue type, culture stage, supplier, and lab protocol.
| Component | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| MS basal salts / premix | Per formulation or supplier | Verify the specific product |
| Sucrose | Often 30 g/L | Varies by protocol |
| Myo-inositol | Often 100 mg/L | May already be included |
| Thiamine HCl | Per formulation | May already be included |
| Agar | Per protocol/product | Omit for liquid culture |
| Water | To final volume | Use appropriate lab-grade water |
| pH | Protocol-specific | Record the target used |
General media preparation workflow
- 1
Select the formulation
Start with a documented basal medium or validated lab recipe appropriate to the plant, tissue type, and culture stage. Confirm whether vitamins or other components are already included in a commercial premix.
- 2
Prepare the basal medium
Measure the required water and add basal salts, sugar, vitamins, and other specified components according to the formulation or supplier instructions.
- 3
Add stage-specific components
Add any plant growth regulators, supplements, or other additives required by the protocol. Record their concentrations so the formulation can be compared with future batches.
- 4
Adjust pH and final volume
Measure and adjust pH to the target specified by the protocol, then bring the medium to its final volume. Add a gelling agent when preparing solid media if required.
- 5
Dispense and sterilize
Dispense the medium into suitable vessels and sterilize it using your lab’s validated procedure and equipment instructions. Handle heat-sensitive components according to their documented requirements.
Document your media recipe in xPlant
xPlant media recipes keep formulation context connected to the cultures that use it. Record the ingredients and amounts that matter to your workflow, then link the recipe to the relevant explant or stage records.
- 1
Create the media recipe
Give the recipe a clear, searchable name based on its formulation or purpose, such as “MS Multiplication” or “WPM Rooting.”
- 2
Record the formulation
Add the ingredients, amounts, units, and notes needed to identify the formulation. Use notes for lab-specific adjustments or preparation context.
- 3
Link the recipe to culture records
Associate the recipe with the relevant explants or stages so media context stays connected to transfer history, observations, and outcomes.
What to record when media behaves unexpectedly
Medium does not gel as expected
Record the formulation, gelling agent and amount, measured pH, preparation date, and any deviations from the usual procedure. Compare the batch with previous media prepared from the same recipe.
Medium changes colour or appearance
Note when the change appeared and record the formulation, preparation conditions, additives, and batch observations. Unexpected appearance can have multiple causes, so compare against your validated procedure before drawing conclusions.
Contamination appears after preparation
Record when contamination was first observed and which cultures or vessels were affected. Review the associated media recipe, preparation notes, transfer history, and contamination records together rather than assuming a single source.
Keep media context connected to your cultures
Record formulations as media recipes in xPlant, then link them to the explants and stages that use them so recipe changes, transfers, and observations can be reviewed together.