Minimum Guidelines for Measuring and
Reporting Environmental Parameters
for Experiments on Plants
in Growth Rooms and Chambers

Prepared by the International Committee for Controlled Environment Guidelines

Sponsored by and published for the UK Controlled Environment Users’ Group (UK-CEUG), the North American Committee on Controlled Environment Technology and Use (NCERA-101), and the Australasian Controlled Environment Working Group (ACEWG)

 

Introduction

Conditions in controlled environment plant growth rooms and chambers should be reported in detail for comparison of results and duplication of experiments. The minimum guidelines presented here, including additional explanation and a reporting example, should help meet these aims, indicating a required, minimum amount of information that should be reported. They may also highlight parameters that could be important, but that may not have been considered for measurement. Three different publications are available:

 

1. The Minimum Guidelines Brochure is designed to be printed in color on both sides of a single sheet of paper (either A4 or Letter size) and folded twice into a convenient leaflet. One of the recommended distribution methods is to place several copies of the brochure in a container located below the small Minimum Guidelines Poster that is mounted at a prominent location in a Controlled Environment facility.

Brochure designed for A4 paper size
Brochure designed for letter paper size
Tips for best printing result of the brochure on A4 or Letter-sized paper

 

2. The small Minimum Guidelines Poster is designed to be printed in color on one side of a single sheet of paper (either A3 or Ledger size) and laminated. A recommended display method is a prominent location in a Controlled Environment facility so users will encounter the poster as they make use of the growth rooms and chambers.

Poster designed for A3 paper size
Poster designed for Ledger paper size
Tips for best printing result of the small poster on A3 or Ledger-sized paper

 

3. The large Minimum Guidelines Poster is designed to be printed in color on one side of a single sheet of paper (poster size; e.g., 914 by 1168 mm or approximately 36 by 46 inches). This laminated poster is designed to be displayed at a scientific meeting so researchers can review the guidelines recommended by the Committee. It is recommended that the display of the large Minimum Guidelines Poster be accompanied by a stack of Minimum Guidelines Brochures for interested researchers to take with them.

Poster designed for poster size
International Committee’s abstract
Tips for best printing result of the large poster

 

A fourth publication containing more detailed guidelines may also be useful:
ANSI/ASAE Engineering Practice: ASAE EP411.4. 2002. Guidelines for measuring and reporting environmental parameters for plant experiments in growth chambers. ASABE, 2950 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085-9659, USA. Please contact ASABE to obtain a copy.