Study on the growth and cultivation of several fruit and vegetable plants on china space station
10.16289/j.cnki.1002-0837.2024.06010
- VernacularTitle:空间站几种果蔬类作物生长栽培验证初探
- Author:
Yongkang TANG
1
;
Qiang BIAN
;
Junfeng WANG
;
Runze YANG
;
Yunze SHEN
;
GuoJing LI
;
Weidang AI
;
Minzheng SUN
Author Information
1. 中国航天员科研训练中心,北京 100094;人因工程全国重点实验室(中国航天员科研训练中心),北京 100094
- Keywords:
China Space Station;
fruit and vegetable;
cultivation;
on-orbit
- From:Space Medicine & Medical Engineering
2024;35(6):379-385
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To develop space vegetable cultivation facility(SVCF)and apply to the cultivation of several fruit and vegetable plants on China Space Station.Methods Through conducting experiments and development of regenerative plant cultivation substrate,active water supply,nutrient supply based on controlled-release fertilizer,LED light environment regulation,modular design and development of various functional units of the SVCF,as well as system integration and testing,plant full cycle cultivation verification,the development of the SVCF(also known as Space Vegetable Garden)has been completed.Through the cultivation on-orbit of three vegetables and one fruit plants,the feasibility of cultivation methods with regenerative substrate was tested and the growth characteristics of several plants were studied.Results The facility worked normally,which can supply water actively,detect substrate parameters including water content and conductivity,and adjust the height according to the plant lighting requirement.All performance indicators of the SVCF meet the cultivation requirements of different fruit and vegetable.Three types of lettuce plants("shengcaiwang","hongye","meiluo")and one tomato plants("honglei")were cultivated from seeding to harvest on-orbit.The lettuce and tomato plants grew well.Astronauts participated in the cultivation and management of lettuce and tomato plants,picking and consuming lettuce leaves(about 900 g,fresh weight)and tomato fruit.The tomato seeds were preserved after harvest and returned to earth.The seeds(second generation)was sowed and cultivated on earth.The growth characteristics will be studied and compared with the tomato plants on-orbit.Conclusion The facility performance meets the requirements of several fruit and vegetable plants cultivation on-orbit.The cultivated lettuce and tomato plants grew well.Astronauts picked and consumed lettuce leaves and tomato fruits.The results laid an important technique foundation for the continuous production of multiple types of fruit and vegetable plants on-orbit.
