There is provided apparatus including: a workstation having an operator work portion, a material source portion, a material delivery portion and a robot arm. A housing is located at the material source portion and contains plantlet holders, the housing being closable by a lid mechanically and sealingly engaging a peripheral lip of the housing. An empty housing is located at the material delivery portion to receive the plantlet holders. A tool assembly on the robot arm includes a plantlet holder manipulator for movement of a plantlet holder between the material source portion, the operator work portion, and the material delivery portion and an integral closure manipulator operable to engage a lid for removal from and attachment to the housing.
