Effects of altered gravity on growth and morphology in Wolffia globosa implications for bioregenerative life support systems and space-based agriculture

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 14; no. 1; p. 410
• Main Authors: Romano, Leone Ermes, van Loon, Jack J. W. A., Izzo, Luigi Gennaro, Iovane, Maurizio, Aronne, Giovanna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 03.01.2024; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 631/449; 631/449/1734; 631/449/2653; 631/449/2686; Adaptability; Agriculture; Aquatic plants; Crops; Floating plants; Food production; Gravity; Gravity, Altered; Humanities and Social Sciences; Hypergravity; Life Support Systems; Microgravity; Morphology; multidisciplinary; Plants; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Space Flight; Sustainable development; Sustainable food systems; Sustainable production; Weightlessness; Wolffia globosa
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49680-3

Understanding the response of plants to varied gravitational conditions is vital for developing effective food production in space bioregenerative life support systems. This study examines the impact of altered gravity conditions on the growth and morphological responses of Wolffia globosa (commonly known as “ water lentils ” or “ duckweed ”), assessing its potential as a space crop. Although an experiment testing the effect of simulated microgravity on Wolffia globosa has been previously conducted, for the first time, we investigated the effect of multiple gravity levels on the growth and morphological traits of Wolffia globosa plants. The plant responses to simulated microgravity, simulated partial gravity (Moon), and hypergravity environments were evaluated using random positioning machines and the large-diameter centrifuge. As hypothesized, we observed a slight reaction to different gravitational levels in the growth and morphological traits of Wolffia globosa. The relative growth rates (RGR) of plants subjected to simulated microgravity and partial gravity were reduced when compared to those in other gravity levels. The morphological analysis revealed differences in plant dimensions and frond length-to-width ratios under diverse gravity conditions. Our findings showed that Wolffia globosa is responsive to gravitational changes, with its growth and morphological adaptations being slightly influenced by varying gravitational environments. As for other crop species, growth was reduced by the microgravity conditions; however, RGR remained substantial at 0.33 a day. In conclusion, this study underscores the potential of Wolffia globosa as a space crop and its adaptability to diverse gravitational conditions, contributing to the development of sustainable food production and bioregenerative life support systems for future space exploration missions.