How PPM protected the succulent cultures for 90 days!

“PPM exceeded my expectations. I observed the prevention of infestation in the culture media close to 100%. So, I am very happy with the PCT’s service and products ” – Patrick

About

Patrick works in an independent small business that is focused on the micropropagation of succulents. His company propagates several succulents for various purposes. And, his job requires culturing together many plantlets of succulents in a closed vessel in the agar medium.
He has been using PPM in his lab since 2017 and he still uses it in his culture because of its unexpected results in the prevention of contamination.

 

Challenge

When Patrick was unaware of the PPM product, he used carbenicillin + miconazole in his cultures to avoid contamination. However, the results were not satisfactory and the contamination of the cultures didn’t stop.

When bacterial infestations were present, he had to repeatedly disinfest the explants, and in many cases, led to the loss of the explants. 

“Despite a disinfestation protocol, some of the cultures were still contaminated by bacteria and fungi, and none of the products seemed fully effective at keeping all the cultures sterile.”  –says Patrick

Challenges faced by Colette None of the sterilizing chemicals worked to stop the contamination. Fungal and bacterial contamination of the succulent cultures. Plant toxicity. The short-term effects of other sterilizing products.

 

Solution

Patrick wanted to save his cultures from fungal and bacterial attacks. He wanted to minimize culture loss and damage to plants. Further, he was looking for a cost-effective solution and to optimize his culture operation.

Then, he came to know about PPM (plant Preservative mixture) from some other culturists and decided to give it a try. And, PPM proved to be a one-stop solution for all his contamination problems.

“PPm exceeded my expectations. Our cultures are in most cases free from contamination.” –says Patrick 

 

Procedure

To avoid the fungal and bacterial contamination from his cultures, Patrick used only 2 ml of PPM in 1 liter of the MS media (2ml/L of media).
In cases where explants presented with the bacterial infestation, a dip and gentle scrub in 50/50 PPM/water resolved the issue most of the time.

 

Result

The PPM helped Patrick to protect his cultures from the fungal and bacterial attacks. It kept the contamination from spreading to the cultures and saved the culture loss. Furthermore, the ease of use of PPM was a plus to smooth his process of culturing. 

“PPM seems to have a broader range of action (most bacteria & fungi contained/controlled), low plant toxicity, and much easier/convenient to use.” –says Patrick

Patrick also tested the effectiveness of PPM for 90+ days. He used PPM on some cultures that remain in the medium for about three-months and doesn’t need to be re-plated during that period. 

He found that PPM was able to maintain the contaminated free culture for 90 days! He could not test the effect for more than 90 days because of medium degradation.

“Important: LONG lasting. Occasionally some cultures remain in the medium for up to three months before being replated, and contamination is prevented/under control for 90+ days” –says Patrick

 

Results obtained by Colette after using PPM The broad range of action of PPM in controlling the contamination. Ease of use (as it can be used straight out of the bottle). Stopped the spreading of contamination right after using PPM with media. Allowed the cultures to grow and survive. The long-lasting effect of PPM (for 90 days!) No stress of Plant toxicity.