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Ethylene production by plants in a closed environment
R M Wheeler1, B V Peterson, J C Sager
1NASA Office of Biological Research and Life Support, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899, USA.
Advances in Space Research : the Official Journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Plant ethylene production increases during rapid growth in controlled environments. Monitoring and control are essential for future space farming within closed ecological systems.
Area of Science:
- Plant physiology
- Controlled environment agriculture
- Bioregenerative life support systems
Background:
- Ethylene is a plant hormone influencing growth and development.
- Understanding ethylene dynamics is crucial for optimizing plant cultivation in controlled environments, such as NASA's Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify ethylene production rates in wheat, soybean, lettuce, and potato stands grown in a CELSS.
- To correlate ethylene production with plant growth stages and metabolic activity.
Main Methods:
- Monitoring ethylene concentrations within a 20-m2 Biomass Production Chamber housing four crop species.
- Measuring ethylene production rates per unit area and per unit fresh weight.
Main Results:
- Ethylene concentrations peaked during rapid growth phases for all species, reaching up to 120 ppb in wheat.
- Ethylene production rates varied by species and growth stage, with peak rates of 0.04-0.06 ml m-2 day-1 observed in lettuce and wheat.
- Ethylene levels decreased during maturation for wheat and soybean, remaining stable for potato.
Conclusions:
- Plant ethylene production is a natural process linked to high metabolic activity.
- Ethylene management strategies are necessary for successful crop cultivation in tightly closed CELSS environments.