Growth and Biomass Yield of 25 Crops species in 180-day integrated experiment
- Paper number
IAC-17,A1,IP,30,x38573
- Year
2017
- Abstract
For human life support during deep space exploration, the cultivation of higher plant plays a critical role in sustaining gas, water and nutrient cycle in Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS). The study aimed to develop various crops co-cultivation and high efficient production technique, explore diverse plant growth patterns and the regularity of various nutrients absorption and evaluate the capability of continuous production in a long-term closed environment. 25 crop species, including 1 grain, 2 tubers, 2 oil plants, 2 fruits, 3 functional plants and 15 vegetables, were selected for their characteristics of nutrient content, growth cycle, environmental requirement and crews demand. Depending on their different requirements of light quality, photoperiod, nutrient solution and temperature, 25 crops were distributed in 4 separate cabins which areas were 195.3 square meters in total. Most of wheats were grown in the nutrient solution while the other crops were in the solid substrate so as to recycle recovery solution and solid waste properly. Throughout the trial period, most of these crops could adapt to the closed environment and complete the whole growth and development cycle normally. Meanwhile, the results showed that the crop cultivation system could continuously provide a variety of vegetables and fruits 1.66kg•d-1 (fresh weight) for 4 crews in 180-day experiment and 1.30 kg•d-1 (dry weight) grains and tubers in last 60 days. Comparing the yield of staples, the harvest index of sweet potato was higher than wheat and potato while its yield per unit area was closed to wheat. Since the first batch of staples (grain and tubers) harvested, crops grown in cabins gradually became the main source of crews’ diet by batch cultivation. In addition, various wheat cultivars displayed distinct differences in growth and yield to the same condition. Further research targets of crops cultivation in CELSS should include a focus on the adaptability and mechanism in cultivated varieties.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)