Plant growth using EMCS hardware on the ISS
Iversen, T.-H.; Fossum, K.R.; Svare, H.; Johnsson, A.; Schiller, P.
Journal of Gravitational Physiology a Journal of the International Society for Gravitational Physiology 9(1): P223-P224
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 1077-9248 PMID: 15002557 Document Number: 544094
Under separate contracts with ESA (FUMO and ERM Study) and as a link in the development of the European Modular Cultivation System's (EMCS) functionality and biocompatibility, plant studies have been performed at The Plant Biocentre in Trondheim, Norway. The main goal was to test whether the breadboards containing the major components planned for use in the EMCS would be optimal for space experiments with plant material. The test plans and the experimental set-up for the verification of biocompatibility and biological functionality included the use of a few model plant species including cress (Lepidium sativum L.) and Arabidopsis thaliana. The plants were tested at different developmental levels of morphological and physiological complexity (illumination, life support, humidity control, water supply, observation, short- and long-term plant growth experiments and contamination prevention). Results from the tests show that the EMCS concept is useful for long duration plant growth on the ISS.