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Related Experiment Videos

Seedling growth and development on space shuttle.

J Cowles1, R LeMay, G Jahns

  • 1Department of Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061, USA.

Advances in Space Research : the Official Journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
|November 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Spaceflight microgravity reduced lignin content in young pine, mung bean, and oat plants. While pine growth was unaffected, mung beans showed slower germination and root growth anomalies in space.

Area of Science:

  • Plant biology
  • Space biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Understanding plant responses to microgravity is crucial for long-duration space missions and potential extraterrestrial agriculture.
  • Previous studies have indicated potential alterations in plant growth and development under spaceflight conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of space shuttle microgravity on the growth, lignin content, and chlorophyll ratios of pine seedlings, mung beans, and oats.
  • To assess the functionality of plant growth units (PGUs) during space shuttle missions.

Main Methods:

  • Young pine seedlings, mung bean seeds, and oat seeds were flown on space shuttle missions STS-3 and STS-51F.
  • Plants were grown in specialized plant growth units (PGUs) designed to support experiments in microgravity.
Keywords:
NASA Discipline Plant BiologyNon-NASA Center

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  • Growth rates, lignin content, root morphology, and chlorophyll a/b ratios were compared between space-flown and ground control specimens.

    • Main Results:

    • Pine seedlings exhibited similar growth rates but reduced stem lignin content (10-12%) compared to controls.
    • Mung beans showed slower growth and germination, with approximately 25% less lignin in stems; roots grew upwards.
    • Oats also displayed reduced lignin content and upward-growing roots; flight tissues had lower chlorophyll a/b ratios than controls.

    Conclusions:

    • Spaceflight microgravity significantly impacts plant biochemistry, particularly lignin synthesis, across different species.
    • Observed root anomalies and altered chlorophyll ratios suggest microgravity affects fundamental plant physiological processes.
    • The plant growth units performed mechanically as expected, providing valuable data on plant responses in space.