Humans, humans and humans again! This time in space, enjoying the gain. The saying that humans can achieve anything is proven again by cultivating plants in the space. In the vast celestial field, we are able to create the yield. Yes, our scientists started space farming to meet the needs of food grains for cosmonauts and they have succeeded. Even in the zero gravity, agriculture has founded its entity. The process has not been a cakewalk, but it took several years to experiment on the necessary conditions and finally space farming has emerged. Space farming is encouraged on Mars as its environment supports plant growth and on International Space Station [ISS] as it has useful bacteria for farming.
Methylobacterium ajmailii: Bacterium on ISS.
The bacteria which is useful for cultivating plants in space station is discovered by University of Hyderabad & NASA making Mars as a cultivational casa! Generally, plants use Nitrogen, phosphate and potassium to grow. But in space where there is a zero-gravity environment without any elements, it is the Methylobacterium ajmailii bacteria which supports plant growth. The genes present in the bacteria have a capacity to kill harmful creatures that attack plants. With discovery of the importance of this bacterium, space farming has found its way to success.
CHILLY CULTIVATION:
For the space farming, scientists have selected Mars and our space station to grow the plants. After finding the minerals in trace amounts, they started with cultivating potatoes, flowers and leafy vegetables. And now, they have decided to start cultivating Red Chilly. They have used Mexican Hutch type chilly for cultivating. The seeds entered space station in June, 2021 through a service called ‘Space X commercial’. Science carrier is the device in which chilly is cultivated. and it takes four months to harvest it. The success rate is 50% as of now,
O scientists, take a bow!
Benefits of space farming.
Though it is difficult to cultivate plants in space, it has many benefits too. It can meet the diet needs of the cosmonauts. Along with this, space framing shows the following benefits.
Generally, the food of an astronaut lacks of vitamins and minerals as the food taken by them is heat treated or freeze dried. So, the space farming can fill that void.
Space farming can create imperishable environment as plants can recycle waste water.
They can generate oxygen.
This cycle can purify the air over there.
It aids nutrient recycling.
Space farm can turn an artificial ecosystem into a hydrological cycle
It helps to increase and maintain the shelf life.
TECHNICAL CHALLENGES.
Scientists face a lot of technical challenges while cultivating plants in space as the environment in space is very different to that of Earth. Some of them are discussed below.
We all know that; photosynthesis is the phenomenon behind the plant growth which rate is way less on Mars as it has 60% reduced light intensity than earth has.
Though Martian soil contains majority of nutrients required for farming, it is lack of Nitrogen which is crucial for growth. Nitrogen fixing bacteria is used to face this challenge.
Plants may not experience normal growth due to less light and hence directional light should be provided to ensure their growth.
Radiation, a severe concern for plant cultivation in space. High radiation levels can affect the plant growth by damaging its DNA. Hence much protection is necessary as it is very difficult to employ greenhouses over there.
Hypobaric condition is yet another challenge faced by the scientists as it may lead to lower photosynthetic rate and evapotranspiration. Low pressure conditions may affect plant growth. So, higher carbon dioxide levels are maintained to balance the pressure.
What do you think? Humans with a great vision and dedication made the impossible possible, right! The success of space farming has given a hope of life on another planet. Hence, we can be called, Guardians of the Galaxies!
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