Abstract: A plantlet holder (25) is formed of nutrient solution-absorbing, open celled, phenolic foam, with an upper handling portion (55), an insertion well (60) for a plantlet and a lower portion (56) adapted to laterally locate in a ring (30) in a work stand (24), the handling portion (55) adapted to be frictionally gripped for robotic or manual handling. Robotic handling apparatus includes a pair of plantlet holder gripper manipulator arms (40) adapted to engage the handling portion (55) for movement of a plantlet holder (25) between a material source portion, an operator work portion (14), and a material delivery portion. The operator work portion (14) is characterised by the work stands (24) locating the plantlet holders vertically by a step portion (32).

Abstract: There is provided apparatus including: a workstation having an operator work portion, a material source portion, a material delivery portion and a robot arm. A housing is located at the material source portion and contains plantlet holders, the housing being closable by a lid mechanically and sealingly engaging a peripheral lip of the housing. An empty housing is located at the material delivery portion to receive the plantlet holders. A tool assembly on the robot arm includes a plantlet holder manipulator for movement of a plantlet holder between the material source portion, the operator work portion, and the material delivery portion; and an integral closure manipulator operable to engage a lid for removal from and attachment to the housing.

Abstract: 1.

Abstract: There is provided plantlet handing apparatus including a housing (70) for a nutrient medium. A plurality of plantlet holders (72) each include a pair of body portions forming, in assembly, an open-topped container having apertures open to the nutrient medium in use. The body portions include engagement means engaging the body portions in assembly for handling and permitting separation. A plantlet holder support (71) is located in the housing and supports the plantlet holders in the nutrient medium while maintaining the body portions together. A closure (73) has a substantially airtight seal to the housing and has windows (111) of selected permeability to metabolic gases produced or required by plantlets.

Abstract: A plant propagation transfer method comprising the steps of segregating plantlets (14) from a tissue-culture medium into a root permeable container (10) containing an aqueous gel medium (13) including inorganic nutrient and supported in a support tube (12). The segregated plantlets (14) are acclimated in light and air until the roots extend toward the bottom of the container (10), before separating the container (10) from the support tube (12) and planting out while still in the container (10). The container (10) comprising a root permeable sleeve formed from a heat sealable, non-woven cellulosic tissue material having a proportion of polyolefin fibre therein is also disclosed.