Astronauts may soon grow their own vegetables at the International Space Station (ISS) if bacteria coated broccoli seeds – sent to space- can survive in low-gravity environments.
Orbital ATK Cygnus spacecraft- unmanned cargo ship to space- took six broccoli seeds to space including three bacteria-coated broccoli. Scientists at the University of Washington used two species of bacteria that can live inside the plant and grow. These microbes- known as endophytes, helps the plant to sustain in low-gravity. It also helps plants to live in the areas lacking nutrients and water.
This is the part of an experiment conducted by students of California’s Valley Christian High School to monitor how vegetables grow in the averse conditions of the space station without any fertiliser.
Earlier, microbes helped plants to tolerate drought and extreme conditions that provide nutrients to their plant partners. Scientists are hoping if their experiment can yield a success, it will also be beneficial in the moon or mars in future.
