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Dynamics of microorganism populations in recirculating nutrient solutionsThis overview covers the basic microbial ecology of recirculating hydroponic solutions. Examples from NASA and Soviet Controlled Ecological Life Support Systems (CELSS) tests and the commercial hydroponic industry will be used. The sources of microorganisms in nutrient solutions include air, water, seeds, plant containers and plumbing, biological vectors, and personnel. Microbial fates include growth, death, and emigration. Important microbial habitats within nutrient delivery systems are root surfaces, hardware surfaces (biofilms), and solution suspension. Numbers of bacteria on root surfaces usually exceed those from the other habitats by several orders of magnitude. Gram negative bacteria dominate the microflora with fungal counts usually much lower. Trends typically show a decrease in counts with increasing time unless stressed plants increase root exudates. Important microbial activities include carbon mineralization and nitrogen transformations. Important detrimental interactions include competition with plants, and human and plant pathogenesis.
Document ID
19950062207
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Strayer, R. F.
(NASA Biomedical Operations and Research Office, Cocoa Beach, Florida US, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Life sciences and space research 25 (3): Natural and artificial ecosystems; Meeting F4 of the COSPAR Plenary Meeting, 29th, Washington, DC, Aug. 28-Sep. 5, 1992 . A95-93759
Volume: 14
Issue: 11
ISSN: 0273-1177
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Accession Number
95A93806
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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