Optimization of Temperature Distribution Inside the Plant Culture Vessel Using a Genetic Algorithm.

Temperature distribution within a culture vessel has a major influence on the development of a cultured plantlet. The temperature distribution can be varied by blowing air on the outside surface of the culture vessel and/or by cooling down the temperature of the bottom of the culture vessel. A genetic algorithm was used to search for an optimum combination of air velocity and bottom temperature to develop a directed temperature distribution in a culture vessel. The temperature distribution was calculated by a finite element method. The genetic algorithm was tested to find the combination of air velocity and bottom temperature at light intensity PPF of 75, 150 and 300μmol/m2/s which resulted some temperatures inside the culture vessel were 23°C. The temperatures of inside the culture vessel were closed to 23°C at the optimum combination of air velocity and bottom temperature found by the genetic algorithm.