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ASTROCULTURE (TM) root metabolism and cytochemical analysisPhysiology of the root system is dependent upon oxygen availability and tissue respiration. During hypoxia nutrient and water acquisition may be inhibited, thus affecting the overall biochemical and physiological status of the plant. For the Astroculture (TM) plant growth hardware, the availability of oxygen in the root zone was measured by examining the changes in alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity within the root tissue. ADH activity is a sensitive biochemical indicator of hypoxic conditions in plants and was measured in both spaceflight and control roots. In addition to the biochemical enzyme assays, localization of ADH in the root tissue was examined cytochemically. The results of these analyses showed that ADH activity increased significantly as a result of spaceflight exposure. Enzyme activity increased 248% to 304% in dwarf wheat when compared with the ground controls and Brassica showed increases between 334% and 579% when compared with day zero controls. Cytochemical staining revealed no differences in ADH tissue localization in any of the dwarf wheat treatments. These results show the importance of considering root system oxygenation in designing and building nutrient delivery hardware for spaceflight plant cultivation and confirm previous reports of an ADH response associated with spaceflight exposure.
Document ID
20040088913
Acquisition Source
Kennedy Space Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Porterfield, D. M.
(Louisiana State University Agriculture Center Baton Rouge, United States)
Barta, D. J.
Ming, D. W.
Morrow, R. C.
Musgrave, M. E.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2000
Publication Information
Publication: Advances in space research : the official journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
Volume: 26
Issue: 2
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG9-860
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-3759
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG10-0075
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Flight Experiment
STS-63 Shuttle Project
short duration
manned
NASA Discipline Plant Biology
NASA Experiment Number 9600004
Non-NASA Center

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