Scales

We use a great variety of scales in our Program: analytical, tare, semi-microscales and portable scales. Scales play a major role not only in the lab but in our fieldworks as well. They are applied to weigh chemicals and to compare plant samples to observe the measurable (quantitative) deviations resulted from the different experimental setups. A more advantegous treatment usually results in a higher increment (production) of plants, mostly with longer stems, branches, more and larger leaves and seeds that can be characterized by larger weight. For the measurement of larger masses, e.g. leafy shoots of plants, it is sufficient to use tare scale that can be used to detect up to 0.01g of the difference in weight. From single leaves to the exact weight of single seeds, analytical scale is used, which can even detect a difference of 0.001 g (1 mg) or 0.0001 g (0.1 mg). If we want to measure a very small difference or our sample or seed is very tiny or powdery like Orobanche (broomrape) or orchids, we use semi-micro scale, which can detect the difference of 0.00001 g (0.01 mg). However, if we want to compare our samples in the nature or in the breeding field with no time and opportunity to use lab scales, we apply portable pocket scales placed on a stable ground (e.g. on a tile).