DEPARTMENTAL PLANT GROWTH FACILITIES PROTOCOL

Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University

 

Application for access to greenhouse or growth chamber growing space

 

Application for use of space (form available at www.sfu.ca/biology/facilities/) requires intended users to define:

a    growing requirements (i.e. height, bench/shelf space, lighting, amount of temperature or humidity control etc.)

b    duration of experiment (projected end dates must be specified)

c    intended pest control protocol requirements

 

Application signatures also denote acceptance and understanding of the following Protocols for Use.

 

Allocation of all space in the different facilities will be made contingent upon the decision of the Plant Growth Facilities Committee which is comprised of two faculty and one departmental representative (normally Leslie Dodd, Greenhouse Technician). Decisions will be based on the availability of the space required, and will be made on a first-come-first-served basis (with a running wait-list). End dates are real and exist to allow for turnover of users, and fair access by all potential users of our facilities. If your experiment concludes early you must notify the committee to allow the next user access. Descriptions of available facilities are at the end of this document.

 

Renewal application for access to greenhouse or growth chamber growing space

 

It is recognized that some users have ongoing, successive experiments; in these cases, users are asked to re-apply at the beginning of each semester. Please send an e-mail to the greenhouse committee by the end of the first week of classes to request an extension to the end of the current semester. Your ability to retain the space will depend on the length of the wait-list and as such you may be requested to vacate or to reduce the time the growing space is needed.

 

Protocol for Use

 

1. Pests

Due to the shared nature of growing areas, users must be vigilant regarding pests and diseases not only for the sake of their own research program, but for the research programs of others that have the potential to be negatively affected by pest outbreaks and the carryover of an outbreak (e.g. spores). Most pest control is straightforward if initiated immediately after the appearance of pests, or as a preventative measure. A pest control protocol must be designed according to the needs dictated by the research being undertaken. Details of the pest control protocol must be included on the application form. Pesticide application as per your pest control protocol must be performed or supervised by a certified pesticide applicator (Leslie Dodd). This is to ensure that proper signage and safety precautions are in place (as per WorkSafe BC regulations) and to take into account any plant material that belongs to other users, in the event that growing space is shared.

 

To reduce the risk of pathogens spreading in the plant growth facility, please observe the following:

1    Inspect your plants regularly (e.g. once per week or when you are watering) to identify signs of pathogen attack.

2    If you see any signs of pathogen damage on your plants contact Leslie Dodd (tel: 778-782-3289, email: ladodd@sfu.ca) to inspect your plants and to treat or supervise treatment according to the pest control protocol outlined in your application.

3    Do not introduce new plants or remove infected plants. If the plants must be removed, they must be bagged and sealed before removal.

 

If you plan to perform experiments that involve the use of insects, fungi or any potential plant pathogen please notify the Plant Growth Facilities Committee and provide details on the application for access to growing space.

 

2. End dates

It is understood that scientific experiments often must be modified while running, and end dates may be difficult to project. However, lack of end dates can restrict access to other users, and so has the unintended consequence of limiting access. Therefore, users must vacate growing space by the end date specified, unless they successfully petition the committee for an extension. We anticipate that most reasonable requests for extensions can be accommodated taking into account the need for the extension, whether there is a waiting list for access, and the need for regularly scheduled maintenance (see section 4).

 

3. Cleaning of growing areas

Upon vacating space, the space must be cleaned by the end-date specified by the user. This includes removing any plant matter or experimental equipment and washing and stacking pots in their proper location. Dirty pots and trays are potential sources of pathogens as are dying or dead plants. In growth chambers, this includes cleaning and disinfecting the walls with a dilute detergent solution followed by bleach solution (10 - 20% commercial bleach in water) to assist in control of fungal pathogens. Users of transgenic plant material are responsible for all clean up and removal of plant material in accordance with University policy (www.sfu.ca/hr/ohs-biosafety.html).

 

Users who do not clean their areas after use, will be notified by Leslie Dodd regarding the above clean-up protocol.  If after one week, they do not clean the area as directed in the protocol, the area will be cleaned by Leslie Dodd and clean-up fees will by applied to their account.  Clean-up fees are $50 per hour with a minimum  charge of $50.

 

4. Maintenance of environmental control units

All growth chambers require regular maintenance to ensure proper functioning. Normally, maintenance should occur on a rotating basis, and occur once per year for each unit. Maintenance will be scheduled so that it is minimally intrusive to research programs. If a particular user is approved by the committee to be in a unit for an extended period (i.e., approaching or surpassing a calendar year), the user should expect to vacate the unit for a 2 week period during that time to allow for maintenance. Maintenance will normally be scheduled by Brian Medford, who will use the end dates for experiments (as provided to the greenhouse committee) for scheduling.

 

5. Fees for use

User fees are normally collected for all growth space, to partially compensate for materials and maintenance costs. These fees are set by the Department and are subject to change depending upon ongoing costs. Users should contact Brian Medford prior to the start of an experiment for the current fee schedule.

 

6. Areas outside designated growing areas

The greenhouse compound is defined as the area inside the chain link fence surrounding greenhouses #1, #2, #5 and is maintained by the Leslie Dodd.  The greenhouse compound excludes the driveway leading to #5 and the area directly east of the driveway, which is maintained by the Biotech Greenhouse (#5) technician. Please see map.

 

Plants or other materials cannot be placed in any area that lies outside of the Designated Growing Areas (see Description of Facilities) but within the greenhouse compound.  Short term or special experimental needs are the exceptions considered for permission to use these areas.  However, permission must first be obtained from Plant Growth Facilities Committee before plants or materials can be moved into the area.

 

7. Unapproved Use of Facilities

If a user does not obtain application approval before using the plant growth facilities (designated or undesignated growing areas), they will be requested to submit an application for access to greenhouse or growth chamber growing space (see above) or to remove the material.  If application has not been received, or material has not been removed within one week of the request, user will be given one notice, by email, giving a two week deadline for removal.  If the material is not moved nor application received by this deadline they will be informed by email of a one week deadline, after which their material will be moved and clean-up fees will be applied to their account. Clean-up fees will be applied at $50 per hour with a minimum charge of $50.

 

It is the user's responsibility to follow the protocol outlined above and to inform the Plant Growth Facilities Committee of extenuating circumstances.

 

 

Description of Facilities

 

1. Greenhouses (see map)

a. The Research Greenhouse (greenhouse #1) contains a potting-up area and storage, as well as four compartments with separate temperature controlled heating units, exhaust fans and side vents. There are also programmable supplemental lights and irrigation capabilities. The compartments, each approximately 30m2, can be used entirely by a single researcher or divided among several researchers, based on availability and compatibility of experimental protocols. Technical services and supplies provided include general maintenance and upkeep of the facility, use of equipment and tools, garden soil (this does not include specialized growing media such as �Sunshine mix�) and fertilizer supplies, use of hard supplies (i.e. non-disposable pots), and pest control consultation and pesticide application. Pests can often be controlled by good plant housekeeping practices, watering practices and correct application of non-toxic pesticidal soap. It is the responsibility of the user to maintain and implement these practices, in consultation with the greenhouse technician.

 

b. The Biotechnology Greenhouse (greenhouse #5) can only be used with permission from Dr. Jim Mattsson (tel: 778-782-4291, email: jim_mattsson@sfu.ca). This greenhouse does not fall under the current protocol, and users of the Biotechnology Greenhouse are reminded that they do not have access to supplies or assistance from the departmental greenhouse technician.

 

c. Greenhouse #4 is a small greenhouse (approximately 6« x 10«) located by the NE corner of the Science Research Annex. It contains benches, and has some heating and ventilation capabilities.

 

A shed is available to users of the research greenhouses and the outdoor compound for storing bulky items such as soil.

 

2. Designated Growing Areas (see map): The Outdoor Compound is an un-shaded, vegetation free area for larger experiments and has programmable irrigation capabilities. Shading is available for small areas (see Leslie Dodd). Areas of varying size can be used and there is truck access available for the East Area (144 m2), though not the West Area (72 m2) (shaded areas on map).  There is also a separate, secured, semi-shaded, grass area (225m2) with truck access, east of the greenhouse compound. The same technical services, supplies and user responsibilities apply as with the Research Greenhouse (#1).

 

3. Controlled Environment Chambers: Two classes of environmental control units are available for researchers who need controlled temperature and humidity for small experiments, whether they are botanical or entomological. Currently, there is one Arabidopsis-style «double-decker« chamber with better temperature and humidity control than the six older chambers. There are also two new upright (refrigerator-style) chambers and one older incubation chamber.  Users must justify access to the newer chambers in their applications, if they are requested. Please see the application for more detailed information on controlled environmental chambers.