Application

Murashige and Skoog medium is a widely used plant tissue culture growth medium. M&S Basal Medium contains macronutrients that include high levels of nitrate and organic additives such as agar, sugars, vitamins and growth regulators. Important growth regulators frequently added to M&S include IAA (auxin/morphogen) and the Kinetin (cytokinin/cell division promoter).

Formula variant

With the macro- and micronutrients as described by Murashige and Skoog (1962).

Media Formulation

Quantity

Formulated to contain 4.3 grams of powder per liter of medium.

Preparation Note

Murashige and Skoog medium can be reconstituted from powder or by combining products that are major components of complete M&S medium, such as macronutrient mixtures and vitamin mixtures. Murashige and Skoog Salt mixture (M5524) contains the macronutrients and micronutrients of the original classic formulation. It can be combined with M&S vitamins or Gamborg’s vitamins and supplemented with sucrose, agar, auxins (IAA) and cytokinins (Kinetin) to generate a complete medium for growth plant tissue culture.

Other Notes

Storage
Powdered media are extremely hygroscopic and must be protected from atmospheric moisture. If possible the entire contents of each package should be used immediately after opening.

Store dry medium in a desiccator at 0-5 °C.

Deterioration of powdered medium may be recognized by: 1) color change; 2) granulation, clumping, or particulate matter throughout the powder; 3) insolubility; 4) pH change; or 5) inability to promote growth when properly used.

Media Preparation

Properties