Evaluation of an Ebb and Flow Nutrient Delivery Technique Applicable to Growing Plants in Microgravity 2002-01-2383
A promising approach for the watering and aeration of substrates in space-based plant root modules is to use a periodic watering/evacuation through a porous membrane or an Ebb/Flow Nutrient Delivery System (EFNDS). Wheat (Triticum aestivum cv Yecora rojo) grown utilizing the EFNDS approach achieved productivities equivalent to controls employing a traditional direct flow approach. When the EFNDS approach is used in conjunction with a fibrous ion-exchange resin substrate (FIERS), the ebb cycle effectively vented 50-55% of the FIERS pores by volume (resupplying oxygen), and freed the substrate of unwanted root exudates. Several advantages of the EFNDS approach can be crucial during plant cultivation in microgravity.
Citation: Berkovich, Y., Tynes, G., Norikane, J., and Levine, H., "Evaluation of an Ebb and Flow Nutrient Delivery Technique Applicable to Growing Plants in Microgravity," SAE Technical Paper 2002-01-2383, 2002, https://doi.org/10.4271/2002-01-2383. Download Citation
Author(s):
Yu. A. Berkovich, G. K. Tynes, J. H. Norikane, H. G. Levine
Affiliated:
Institute for Medical and Biological Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences
Pages: 9
Event:
International Conference On Environmental Systems
