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 Kinetin (cytokinin/cell division promoter).

Application
Murashige and Skoog Basal Salt Mixture (MS) has been used to support the growth and regeneration of transformed tobacco cells.[1] It has also been used as a growth medium for germination of Arabidopsis thaliana (Col-0) seeds.

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

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.

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.