Abstract
The influence of four agar-type polysaccharides on the budding and the elongation of five clones of Thuja plicata was tested. The polysac charides were used as solidifying agents for culture media and differed in their sulfate content (0.14 to 10.95% W/W). Budding was reduced on the most highly sulfated polysaccharide, and the differences observed between clones in elonga tion were as important as those observed between agar types.
In order to understand factors determining the gel "quality" of agar, we have investigated the chemical composition, mechanical properties and thermal sta bility of the gel samples. The results of this investigation show that the main factors that control the mechanical properties of gels are: the sulfate content, added nutrient medium, and autoclaving.
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