ABSTRACT
The work was performed in order to evaluate possible negative effect of high temperatures on biological properties of seeds in space experiment BIORISK-MSN-2. Laboratory experiments showed that seeds possess high enough resistance to extended exposure to high temperatures. Results of studying effects of positive temperatures in the region of 40 to 100 degrees C on biological properties of seeds of 19 species and varieties of higher plants belonging to three different families lead to the conclusion that heat stability of seeds depends on temperature value, period of exposure, species, variety and individual peculiarities of plants. These data can be useful in future interpretation of results of experiment BIORISK-MSN-2.
Subject(s)
Germination/physiology , Hot Temperature , Seeds/growth & development , Follow-Up Studies , HumansABSTRACT
The investigation had the aim to evaluate the effects of low doses (< 1-10 cGy) of ionizing radiation on the physical-chemical qualities of high-purification water. It had also the goal to study germination rate and energy and sprouting of four species of higher plants exposed directly and indirectly (watering) to alpha- and beta-radiation from radionuclids sources. When compared with intact water, after exposure to beta-particles electrical currents in water-filled containers consistently tended upward and downward after exposure to alpha-particles. Radiation-induced changes in water parameters were observed throughout the experiment with higher plant seeds. Evaluation of the effect of irradiated water on sprouting showed that plant sensitivity varied with species and depended on type of radiation particles. Neither alpha- nor beta particles affected the wheat sprouts; however, both types of particles inhibited growth of mustard and accelerated growth of lentil and haricot Mash as compared with control crops. The investigation suggests that plant species for space greenhouses should be selected with account of their radioresistance and radiosensitivity.
Subject(s)
Germination/radiation effects , Seeds/radiation effects , Beta Particles , Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation , Seeds/growth & development , Time FactorsABSTRACT
In the period between March 2003 and April 2005 five crops of genetically marked dwarf pea were cultivated in greenhouse LADA on the ISS Russian segment to study morphology and genetics in consecutive generations. Results of the first space experiment were analyzed and characteristics of ground plants grown from space seeds were studied. It was shown that parameters of growth, development and genetic status of pea plants that completed the ontogenetic cycle in LADA did not differ substantially from the laboratory control and that plants cultivated in space flight do not incur losses in the reproductive function and form viable seeds. Genetic analysis of plants from the first generation of space and ground seeds using the methods of RAPD-primers (10 markers) and chromosomal aberration analysis failed to reveal genetic polymorphism which means that the spaceflight factors had no effect on the genetic apparatus of the first generation of space-grown plants.
Subject(s)
Genes, Plant/genetics , Pisum sativum , Spacecraft , Ecosystem , Pisum sativum/genetics , Pisum sativum/growth & development , Polymorphism, Genetic , SeedsABSTRACT
The purpose was to study characteristic features of growth and development of several plant generations in space flight in experiment GREENHOUSE-3 as a part of the Russian-US space research program MIR/NASA in 1997. The experiment consisted of cultivation of Brassica rapa L. in board greenhouse Svet. Two vegetative cycles were fully completed and the third vegetation was terminated on day 13 on the phase of budding. The total duration of the space experiment was 122 days, i.e. same as in the ground controls. In the experiment with Brassica rapa L. viable seeds produced by the first crop were planted in space flight and yielded next crop. Crops raised from the ground and space seeds were found to differ in height and number of buds. Both parameters were lowered in the plants grown from the space seeds. The prime course for smaller size and reduced organogenic potential of plantTs reproductive system seems to be a less content of nutrients in seeds that had matured in the space flight. Experiment GREENHOUSE-3 demonstrated principle feasibility of plant reproduction in space greenhouse from seeds developed in microgravity.
Subject(s)
Brassica rapa/growth & development , Brassica rapa/genetics , Plant Development , Plants/genetics , Space Flight , Ecosystem , Seeds/genetics , Seeds/growth & developmentABSTRACT
Results of the experiment aimed at harvesting a second space generation of wheat var. Apogee in Mir greenhouse Svet (experiment GREENHOUSE-5) are presented. In space flight, germination rate of space seeds from the first crop made up 89% against 100% of the ground seeds. The full biological ripeness was observed in 20 plants grown from the ground seeds and one plant grown from the space seeds following 80- to 90-d vegetation. The plant of the second space generation was morphologically different neither from the species in the first space crop nor from the ground controls. To study the biological characteristics of Apogee seeds gathered in the first and second crops in spaceflight experiment GREENHOUSE-5, the seeds were planted on their return to the laboratory. Morphometric analysis showed that they were essentially similar to the controls. Hence, the space experiments in Mir greenhouse Svet performed during 1998-1999 gave proof that plants cultivated in microgravity can pass the ontogenetic cycle more than once. However, initial results of the investigations into growth and development of plants through several generations are still in-sufficient to speak of possible delayed effects of the spaceflight factors (microgravity, multicomponent radiation, harmful trace contaminants etc.).
Subject(s)
Plant Development , Space Flight , Aerospace Medicine , SeedsABSTRACT
We plan to perform space experiments on development of a technology for cultivation of leaf vegetables that might be a component of future life support systems for space crews. For this purpose, we are going to fly research greenhouses with the crop area from 0.03 up to 0.1 m2 inside the universal docking module of the ISS Russian segment. To prepare for future space experiments, ground investigations were made in order to compare crop capacity of various artificial soils used to grow leaf vegetables in greenhouse Svet. Useful life of root module Svet can be extended with a new technology based on resupply of fibrous substrate with nutrients. The most effective volume of soil per a plant was determined which sustains high productivity of leaf vegetables in Svet. To select leaf vegetables for in-space cultivation, we conducted investigations of productivity, morphometric and biochemical characteristics, and palatability of 18 cultures including alternative greens highly popular in Japan and China which have been earlier tested neither in laboratory nor in space within the closed eco-system projects. We would prioritize mizuna, pak choi, tatsoi, rapina or broccoli raab, and red giant mustard as objects for in-space investigations.
Subject(s)
Agrochemicals , Plant Development , Soil , Space Flight , Technology , Vegetables/growth & development , Humans , Time Factors , WeightlessnessABSTRACT
In our earlier space experiment with super dwarf wheat we found the spikes developed in space to be barren. The cause of the full crop sterility was sensitivity of this wheat species to the ethylene concentration of 0.3-0.8 mg/m3 during the experiment. The follow-up ground experiments were made to identify species of dwarf wheat that could be raised in space greenhouse Svet and are distinguished by partial tolerance of their reproductive organs to elevated ethylene in air. The choice fell on the USU-Apogee cultivar specially developed for planting in growth chambers as an integral part of various bioregenerative life support systems, including the space ones. An experiment with wheat Apogee was performed in greenhouse Svet on board MIR. The period of the full crop vegetation cycle was not significantly altered under the spaceflight conditions. The experiment yielded 508 seeds from 12 plants, i.e. by 38% less than in laboratory experiments and by 69% more as compared with results of growing crops in ethylene-contaminated atmosphere (1 mg/m3). Mass of the space seeds was low if compared with the laboratory crops. This was the first time when the feasibility of gathering seeds from wheat that had passed the whole vegetation cycle in space flight was demonstrated. The experiment will give mightly impetus to the advancement of research on space biological LSS and gravitational biology.
Subject(s)
Seeds/growth & development , Space Flight , Triticum/growth & development , Air Pollutants/analysis , Air Pollutants/pharmacology , Air Pollution/prevention & control , Ethylenes/analysis , Ethylenes/pharmacology , Plant Growth Regulators/analysis , Plant Growth Regulators/pharmacology , Seeds/drug effects , Spacecraft , Triticum/drug effects , WeightlessnessABSTRACT
In 1996-1997 an experiment with super dwarf wheat (Greenhouse-2) was made aboard the orbital complex MIR as a part of the MIR-NASA space science program. The article deals with the main production and morphometric characteristics of plants that completed their vegetation cycle in the space flight. Lengths of the whole cycle of vegetation and its individual stages were essentially same as in ground control experiments. Dry mass of one plants equal, the number of headed shoots was in 2.7 times less in the flight harvest as compared with the control. The height of shoots was reduced by one half. No seeds were found in the heads formed in space. The architecture of heads was substantially different from what had been observed in the preceeding ground control experiments: mass of the heads was halved and lengths of inflorescence and palea awn shortened. The number of spikelets in a head reduced up to 8-10 vs. 13-14 in the controls, whereas the number of florets per a spikelet averaged 5 vs. 3 in the controls. The experiments showed that mainly the most profound changes in the productive and morphometric parameters of the super dwarf wheat plants were largely caused by the phytotoxic effects of ethylene rather than spaceflight specific factors as its concentrations in the MIR air amount to 0.3-1.8 mg/m3.
Subject(s)
Space Flight , Triticum/growth & development , Seeds/physiology , SpacecraftABSTRACT
The Project of scientific programs MIR/SHUTTLE and MIR/NASA was allowed for studying the productional, cytoembryological, morphological, biomechanical and other characteristics of superclub wheat on cultivation in the Svet greenhouse on-board orbital complex. This work was aimed at studying the duration of the complete cycle of ontogenesis of wheat and its individual stages, the peculiarities of forming the reproductive organs, processes, fertilization and formation of the seed production while cultivating in the Svet greenhouse under terrestrial conditions. Superclub wheat has been the object of experimentation. On cultivation of superclub wheat in the Svet greenhouse at designated conditions it was found that the cycle duration "from seed to seed" was 90-97 days. The number of granules in the wheat-ears studied was quite low and ranged from 15 to 30%. Performed studies with applying the light microscopy have indicated that in superclub wheat the embryological processes occur in compliance with those regularities which are described for the other forms of soft wheat.
Subject(s)
Space Simulation , Spacecraft , Triticum/embryology , Triticum/growth & development , Biomechanical Phenomena , Environmental Exposure , Follow-Up Studies , Humidity , Light , Plant Leaves/growth & development , Telemetry , Triticum/physiologyABSTRACT
Goals of the 3-month experiment GREENHOUSE using the equipment of greenhouse SVET (ECO-PSY-95) were to feature growth and development of wheat through the entire cycle of ontogeny under the maximally mimicked MIR environment, and to try out the procedures and timeline of space experiment GREENHOUSE-2 as a part of the fundamental biology investigations within the MIR/NASA space science program. Irradiation intensity (PAR) was 65 W/m2 and 38 W/m2 in the experiment and laboratory control, respectively. Values of other environmental parameters were MIR average (18-25 degrees C, relative air humidity in the interval between 40% and 75%, total gas pressure of about 660 to 860 mm Hg, partial oxygen pressure within the range from 140 to 200 mm Hg, partial carbon dioxide pressure up to 7 mm Hg). Experimental results showed that wheat cultivation in inhabited chamber under a modified lighting unit providing greater irradiation of the crop area produced more plant mass although seed production dropped. Low grain content in ears could be the aftermath of the gaseous trace contaminants in the chamber atmosphere.
Subject(s)
Space Simulation , Spacecraft , Triticum/growth & development , Air Pressure , Environmental Exposure , Follow-Up Studies , Humidity , Light , Plant Leaves/growth & development , TelemetryABSTRACT
The effect of space flight factors on the growth and development of wheat grown in a Svetoblock-M unit on the orbital station Mir was investigated. The data obtained allow the conclusion that wheat plants develop flight-induced changes. When compared to control plants, experimental plants show a delayed growth in terms of biometric parameters, different distribution of biogenic elements, lower phytoncidal activity, increased bacterial and fungal contamination, and a changed pigment and lipid composition.
Subject(s)
Space Flight , Triticum/growth & developmentABSTRACT
This paper discusses the functional characteristics of the man-plant-mineralization system and the environment it forms when it is supplemented with a photoautotrophic component including higher plants and algae. The functional characteristics of the higher plant component were studied when it operated first in an independent cultivation mode, then coupled with a biological system of human and biocomplex waste mineralization, and finally with a human gas exchange system and Chlorella containing photosynthetic reactors. This approach demonstrated for the first time that Chlorella and higher plants can normally work in a common autosphere. The paper also presents quantitative data about the use of higher plants in a biological life support system. Data analysis shows that the total plant yield did not diminish when the system was closed and man, mineralization system and algal reactors were connected. However although the total photosynthetic productivity remained unchanged, the yield of useful crops decreased. This points to a complex nature of the above effects, the causes of which remain so far inexplicable and require further study.
Subject(s)
Aerospace Medicine , Chlorella/growth & development , Ecological Systems, Closed , Life Support Systems , Models, Biological , Plant Development , Space Flight , Brassica/growth & development , Brassica/physiology , Chlorella/physiology , Humans , Photosynthesis/physiology , Plant Physiological Phenomena , Triticum/growth & development , Triticum/physiology , Vegetables/growth & development , Vegetables/physiologyABSTRACT
The effect of nonpurified condensate obtained during prolonged cultivation of batata in a sealed chamber upon batata cuttings and seedlings of garden cress, radish and Chinese cabbage was studied. It was shown that nonpurified condensate produced an inhibitory effect on the formation of roots in batata cuttings and on the growth of previously developed roots of batata cuttings and seedlings. The studies which used a chemical model of 3,4-dihydroxy phenylalanine indicated that the condensate contained biologically active substance of organic origin. However, only experiments with the real continuous culture of batata, using real dilutions of the condensate that depend on the size of the greenhouse and the amount of the nutrient solution would clarify wheather condensate of transpiration water of batata plants can be repeatedly utilized in life support systems.
