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Plant reproduction in spaceflight environmentsBecause plant reproduction is a complex developmental process there are many possible sites of perturbation by the unusual environments of orbital spacecraft. Previous long-duration experiments on Soviet platforms shared features of slowed development through the vegetative stage of plant growth and aborted reproductive function. Our goal has been to understand how special features of the spaceflight environment impact physiological function and reproductive development. In a series of short-duration experiments in the Shuttle mid-deck we studied early reproductive development in Arabidopsis thaliana. Pollen and ovule development aborted at an early stage in the first experiment on STS-54 which utilized closed plant growth chambers. Post-flight analysis suggested that the plants may have been carbon dioxide limited. Subsequent experiments utilized carbon dioxide enrichment (on STS-51) and cabin air flow-through with an air exchange system (on STS-68). Both modifications allowed pollen and ovule development to occur normally on orbit, and full reproductive development up to the stage of an immature seed occurred on STS-68. However, analysis of plant roots from these experiments demonstrated a limitation in rootzone aeration in the spaceflight material that was not mitigated by these procedures. In the future, additional resources (crew time, upgraded flight hardware, and special platforms) will invite more elaborate, long-duration experimentation. On the ISS, a variable speed centrifuge and upgraded plant habitats will permit detailed experiments on the role of gravity in shaping the plant micro-environment, and what influence this plays during reproduction.
Document ID
20040089479
Acquisition Source
Kennedy Space Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Musgrave, M. E.
(Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Baton Rouge 70803, United States)
Kuang, A.
Porterfield, D. M.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1997
Publication Information
Publication: Gravitational and space biology bulletin : publication of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology
Volume: 10
Issue: 2
ISSN: 1089-988X
Subject Category
Man/System Technology And Life Support
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG10-0139
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGT5-1097
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG2-1020
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Review, Tutorial
Salyut Project
Review
Mir Project
manned
Non-NASA Center
short duration
long duration
STS Shuttle Project
Flight Experiment
NASA Discipline Plant Biology

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