Robotic plantlet handing apparatus including: a workstation having an operator work portion, a material source portion, a material delivery portion and a robot arm； at least one housing located at the material source portion and containing a plurality of plantlet holders each comprising an open-topped container having apertures open to nutrient medium in use and having a handling lug, the housing being closable by a lid having a complementary engagement periphery adapted to mechanically and sealingly engage a corresponding peripheral lip of the housing； at least one said housing located at said material delivery portion and adapted to receive a plurality of said plantlet holders； a plantlet holder manipulator on said robot arm and adapted to engage said handling lug for movement of a plantlet holder between said material source portion, said operator work portion, and said material delivery portion； and a closure manipulator on said robot arm and selectively operable to engage a said closure for removal from and attachment to the housing.
