A MULTIMODAL THERMAL INCUBATOR FOR THE STUDY OF BIOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO TEMPERATURE

The design, construction and testing of a multimodal thermal incubator system is described. Different experiments on the effects of temperat ure on biological materials are possible by using this equipment of ea sy construction and operation. A microprocessor-based controller monit ors and changes the temperature of up to fifteen independent stations with a precision of +/- 0.5-degrees-C. The experimental stations are i solated in a cooled environment for attaining, under control, any temp erature from 1-degrees to 45-degrees-C. Germination responses of tomat o and hot pepper seeds under a constant temperature gradient are repor ted as a test of the system.