Photosynthetica 1998, 35(4):589-596 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1006939226019

Effects of Exposure in Space on Tomato Seeds: Photosynthesis, Biomass, and Water Relations of Well-Watered and Drought-Stressed Plants

M.S. Marmor1, C.E. Martin1
1 Department of Botany, University of Kansas, Lawrence, USA

Tomato seeds exposed to space conditions for nearly six years on board the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) satellite were subsequently germinated and the resultant seedlings grown on earth under controlled conditions for analysis. Photosynthesis, biomass, and water relations were compared between mature plants grown from earth-based control seeds and space-exposed seeds under both well-watered and drought-stressed conditions. No consistent significant differences in photosynthesis and water relations were observed in the two sets of plants at any level of drought stress. Fruit production, however, though limited and variable, was significantly greater in plants grown from space-exposed seeds than in plants grown from earth-based seeds. Overall, exposure of seeds to space had only minor effects on the physiology and growth of plants grown from such seed.

Additional key words: cosmic radiation; internal CO2 concentration; microgravity; net CO2 exchange; osmotic potential; stomatal conductance; water potential

Prepublished online: December 1, 1998; Published: January 1, 1998  Show citation

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Marmor, M.S., & Martin, C.E. (1998). Effects of Exposure in Space on Tomato Seeds: Photosynthesis, Biomass, and Water Relations of Well-Watered and Drought-Stressed Plants. Photosynthetica, 35(4), 589-596. doi: 10.1023/A:1006939226019
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