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Plant Growth Facility (PGF)In a microgravity environment aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia Life and Microgravity Mission STS-78, compression wood formation and hence altered lignin deposition and cell wall structure, was induced upon mechanically bending the stems of the woody gymnosperms, Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Although there was significant degradation of many of the plant specimens in space-flight due to unusually high temperatures experienced during the mission, it seems evident that gravity had little or no effect on compression wood formation upon bending even in microgravity. Instead, it apparently results from alterations in the stress gradient experienced by the plant itself during bending under these conditions. This preliminary study now sets the stage for long-term plant growth experiments to determine whether compression wood formation can be induced in microgravity during phototropic-guided realignment of growing woody plant specimens, in the absence of any externally provided stress and strain.
Document ID
19980206469
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Date Acquired
August 18, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 1998
Publication Information
Publication: Life and Microgravity Spacelab (LMS)
Subject Category
Materials Processing
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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