Growing beans in space

Scientists are hoping to grow beans in space by 2021, using high-tech planters developed at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.  Silje Wolff, a Plant Physiologist at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Space, part of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology has just completed an experiment that involved growing lettuce for space.  The lettuce was planted in artificial soil made from lava rock and the planters were developed to regulate water, air, gas and nutrients.  Wolff explained, “We found that plants can in a way ‘smell’ the amount of nutrients available to them.  When the nitrogen concentration is very low, the plant will absorb more water and thus more nitrogen until it reaches an optimal level.  The plant has a mechanism that turns on when the nitrogen level is adequate.  Then it adjusts both nitrogen and water absorption down.”

The scientists are beginning new experiments to observe the effect of no gravity on plants’ ability to transport water and absorb nutrients, placing beans in a centrifuge to sprout and grow in the space station.  On Earth gravity causes warm air to rise and cold air to sink, in the space station air is more stationary therefore reducing evaporation causing leaf temperatures to increase.  These experiments in space will offer opportunities to produce food in cities here on Earth in a more sustainable way.  “Recycling and precise fertilization are key to achieving more sustainable food production.  By growing plants directly in water with dissolved nutrients, fertilization and irrigation are much easier to control,” said Wolff, “The plants become less sensitive to nutritional deficiency because the roots are in direct contact with the nutrients.  They’re always able to access new nutrients through the water and can use absolutely all the nutrients available, unlike soil that binds the nutrients and affects their ability to the roots and the roots don’t rot when the water is mixed with a little oxygen.”