This document provides a summary of the results of the two week EDEN ISS concurrent engineering&l... more This document provides a summary of the results of the two week EDEN ISS concurrent engineering<br> design study conducted from Sep 7-18, 2015. The primary goal of the study was to produce a preliminary design of the EDEN ISS Mobile Test Facility. This preliminary design includes details from all<br> Mobile Test Facility subsystems as well as initial details on a number of scientific and operational<br> themes relevant to the EDEN ISS project. It is important to note, that the design of the Mobile Test<br> Facility will continue to evolve, especially at the subsystem level, but that this document represents a<br> snapshot of the design at the system level, and its status at the completion of the concurrent engineering design study in conjunction with its associated period of post-processing. The design study<br> also generated a number of important supplementary reference documents including subsystem<br> block diagrams and detailed 'sub...
Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology, 2004
Summary The effect of growing spinach at two light intensities on the content of oxalate, ascorba... more Summary The effect of growing spinach at two light intensities on the content of oxalate, ascorbate and nitrate in their leaves was determined. Plants were grown for five weeks in a growth cabinet under a 10 h light/14 h dark photoperiod and a photon flux density of either 800 or 200 µmol quanta m–2 s–1. The content of oxalate, ascorbate and nitrate in the fourth and fifth fully expanded true leaves was then determined at three times during the photoperiod. Spinach plants grown at the lower light intensity showed decreased growth, a decreased leaf area per plant and an increased shoot to root ratio. Leaves from plants grown under low light contained less ascorbate but more oxalate and nitrate. Our data show that the nutritional quality of spinach is thereby decreased by growth in low light intensities and suggest that the content of oxalic acid in leaves may depend on the rate of its catabolism.
&lt;p&gt;For Space exploration, the realization of long-term manned missions requires the... more &lt;p&gt;For Space exploration, the realization of long-term manned missions requires the possibility to grow plants in extra-terrestrial environments. Indeed, life support in Space will be based on the &lt;em&gt;in situ&lt;/em&gt; regeneration of resources (e.g. air, water and food) needed by the crew that can be achieved in plant-based closed artificial ecosystems. At the same time the cultivation of edible plants can be useful to integrate astronauts&amp;#8217; diet with fresh food directly produced onboard of Space platforms.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this context the production of microgreens is gaining popularity as easy &amp;#8216;vegetal systems&amp;#8217; that can be grown in a few days, in small volume, providing high nutritional values.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;However, one of the main constraints for the &lt;em&gt;in-orbit&lt;/em&gt; production of fresh food of vegetable origin is the establishment of scientific requirements for a flight apparatus dedicated to the production of such species.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this study we used a multidisciplinary approach to understand the effects of the environmental factors on morpho-functional and biochemical aspects of different species of microgreens.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;To do so, we set-up various growth chamber experiments to test different type of substrate, nutritional solutions, light intensities and VPDs (vapour pressure deficits) on &lt;em&gt;Brassica oleracea &lt;/em&gt;var. sabauda cv. Vertus and &lt;em&gt;Raphanus raphanistrum &lt;/em&gt;subsp. sativus cv. Saxa microgreens. In additional experiments, we evaluated the effect of different light qualities (red, blue and optimum spectrum) on the biometric, qualitative and anatomical parameters of &lt;em&gt;Petroselinum crispum.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;More specifically, once obtained the optimum light spectrum, we tested two type of substrates (cellulose sponge and coconut fiber) and two nutritional solutions (quarter strength throughout the cycle vs. half strength for the first half of the cycle followed by osmotic water during the second half). Then, using the quarter strength nutrient solution throughout the cycle and the coconut fiber substrate, we tested two different light intensities of an optimum light spectrum (300 &amp;#181;mol photons m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt;s&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; vs. 150 &amp;#181;mol photons m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt;s&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;) and two different VPD levels (low VPD of 0.3 KPa and high VPD of 1.2 kPa).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;To understand the best combination of environmental factors on microgreens growth in small controlled artificial systems, we compared the biomass production, morphological traits, visual quality parameters (through the leaf colorimetry coordinates) and biochemical traits including chlorophylls, anthocyanins, ascorbic acids, and soluble sugars content. Microgreens were then collected and subjected to the preparation for microscopy analyses to detect possible environmental factor-induced modifications to the anatomical structure.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The overall analysis showed that the microgreens-response is strictly influenced by environmental factors. Results suggested that the possible occurrence of positive outcomes (increments in antioxidant and biomass production) in microgreens can be severely influenced by environmental conditions: such a phenomenon should be taken into account in the design of plant-based modules for crop production in Space.The outcomes of this study will also be helpful to optimize microgreens production in controlled environment agriculture systems on Earth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;
IntroductionLong-duration missions in outer Space will require technologies to regenerate environ... more IntroductionLong-duration missions in outer Space will require technologies to regenerate environmental resources such as air and water and to produce food while recycling consumables and waste. Plants are considered the most promising biological regenerators to accomplish these functions, due to their complementary relationship with humans. Plant cultivation for Space starts with small plant growth units to produce fresh food to supplement stowed food for astronauts’ onboard spacecrafts and orbital platforms. The choice of crops must be based on limiting factors such as time, energy, and volume. Consequently, small, fast-growing crops are needed to grow in microgravity and to provide astronauts with fresh food rich in functional compounds. Microgreens are functional food crops recently valued for their color and flavor enhancing properties, their rich phytonutrient content and short production cycle. Candidate species of microgreens to be harvested and eaten fresh by crew members, ...
Non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) represent the primary carbon (C) reserves and play a crucial ... more Non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) represent the primary carbon (C) reserves and play a crucial role in plant functioning and resilience. Indeed, these compounds are involved in the regulation between C supply and demand, and in the maintenance of hydraulic efficiency. Non-structural carbohydrates are stored in parenchyma of woody organs, which is recognized as a proxy for reserve storage capacity of tree. Notwithstanding the importance of NSCs for tree physiology, their long-term regulation and trade-offs against growth were not deeply investigated. This work evaluated the long-term dynamics of mature tree reserves in stem and root, proxied by parenchyma features and focusing on the trade-off and interplay between the resources allocation in radial growth and reserves in stem and coarse root. In a Mediterranean beech forest, NSCs content, stem and root wood anatomy analysis and eddy covariance data were combined. The parenchyma fraction (RAP) of beech root and stem was different, ...
Summary Late frost can destroy the photosynthetic apparatus of trees. We hypothesized that this c... more Summary Late frost can destroy the photosynthetic apparatus of trees. We hypothesized that this can alter the normal cyclic dynamics of C‐reserves in the wood. We measured soluble sugar concentrations and radiocarbon signatures (Δ14C) of soluble nonstructural carbon (NSC) in woody tissues sampled from a Mediterranean beech forest that was completely defoliated by an exceptional late frost in 2016. We used the bomb radiocarbon approach to estimate the time elapsed since fixation of mobilized soluble sugars. During the leafless period after the frost event, soluble sugar concentrations declined sharply while Δ14C of NSC increased. This can be explained by the lack of fresh assimilate supply and a mobilization of C from reserve pools. Soluble NSC became increasingly older during the leafless period, with a maximum average age of 5 yr from samples collected 27 d before canopy recovery. Following leaf re‐growth, soluble sugar concentrations increased and Δ14C of soluble NSC decreased, in...
Growth and quality attributes were quantified in Cichorium intybus L. and Cichorium endivia L. in... more Growth and quality attributes were quantified in Cichorium intybus L. and Cichorium endivia L. in response to the nitrate supply. Chicory was grown in Italy, in a cold greenhouse from the 11 of February 2020, in a pot with commercial soil and sand with and without 12 mM of Ca(NO3)2. Seventy-six days after sowing, the growth variables, contents of leaf and root carbohydrates (glucose, fructose sucrose starch and fructans), carbon, nitrate sulphate and phosphate were measured. Fertilization significantly increased the yield and specific leaf dry weight (SLDW) of the C. endivia. The shoot/root ratio was increased in C. intybus with high N; this also increased the carbohydrate content in leaves and roots of C. endivia compared to the value measured in C. intybus. The interaction between fertilization and genotype significantly affected fructans and nitrate accumulation in taproots. Fertilization decreased the sulphate and phosphate contents in the leaves and roots of both chicory specie...
This document provides a summary of the results of the two week EDEN ISS concurrent engineering&l... more This document provides a summary of the results of the two week EDEN ISS concurrent engineering<br> design study conducted from Sep 7-18, 2015. The primary goal of the study was to produce a preliminary design of the EDEN ISS Mobile Test Facility. This preliminary design includes details from all<br> Mobile Test Facility subsystems as well as initial details on a number of scientific and operational<br> themes relevant to the EDEN ISS project. It is important to note, that the design of the Mobile Test<br> Facility will continue to evolve, especially at the subsystem level, but that this document represents a<br> snapshot of the design at the system level, and its status at the completion of the concurrent engineering design study in conjunction with its associated period of post-processing. The design study<br> also generated a number of important supplementary reference documents including subsystem<br> block diagrams and detailed 'sub...
Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology, 2004
Summary The effect of growing spinach at two light intensities on the content of oxalate, ascorba... more Summary The effect of growing spinach at two light intensities on the content of oxalate, ascorbate and nitrate in their leaves was determined. Plants were grown for five weeks in a growth cabinet under a 10 h light/14 h dark photoperiod and a photon flux density of either 800 or 200 µmol quanta m–2 s–1. The content of oxalate, ascorbate and nitrate in the fourth and fifth fully expanded true leaves was then determined at three times during the photoperiod. Spinach plants grown at the lower light intensity showed decreased growth, a decreased leaf area per plant and an increased shoot to root ratio. Leaves from plants grown under low light contained less ascorbate but more oxalate and nitrate. Our data show that the nutritional quality of spinach is thereby decreased by growth in low light intensities and suggest that the content of oxalic acid in leaves may depend on the rate of its catabolism.
&lt;p&gt;For Space exploration, the realization of long-term manned missions requires the... more &lt;p&gt;For Space exploration, the realization of long-term manned missions requires the possibility to grow plants in extra-terrestrial environments. Indeed, life support in Space will be based on the &lt;em&gt;in situ&lt;/em&gt; regeneration of resources (e.g. air, water and food) needed by the crew that can be achieved in plant-based closed artificial ecosystems. At the same time the cultivation of edible plants can be useful to integrate astronauts&amp;#8217; diet with fresh food directly produced onboard of Space platforms.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this context the production of microgreens is gaining popularity as easy &amp;#8216;vegetal systems&amp;#8217; that can be grown in a few days, in small volume, providing high nutritional values.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;However, one of the main constraints for the &lt;em&gt;in-orbit&lt;/em&gt; production of fresh food of vegetable origin is the establishment of scientific requirements for a flight apparatus dedicated to the production of such species.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this study we used a multidisciplinary approach to understand the effects of the environmental factors on morpho-functional and biochemical aspects of different species of microgreens.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;To do so, we set-up various growth chamber experiments to test different type of substrate, nutritional solutions, light intensities and VPDs (vapour pressure deficits) on &lt;em&gt;Brassica oleracea &lt;/em&gt;var. sabauda cv. Vertus and &lt;em&gt;Raphanus raphanistrum &lt;/em&gt;subsp. sativus cv. Saxa microgreens. In additional experiments, we evaluated the effect of different light qualities (red, blue and optimum spectrum) on the biometric, qualitative and anatomical parameters of &lt;em&gt;Petroselinum crispum.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;More specifically, once obtained the optimum light spectrum, we tested two type of substrates (cellulose sponge and coconut fiber) and two nutritional solutions (quarter strength throughout the cycle vs. half strength for the first half of the cycle followed by osmotic water during the second half). Then, using the quarter strength nutrient solution throughout the cycle and the coconut fiber substrate, we tested two different light intensities of an optimum light spectrum (300 &amp;#181;mol photons m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt;s&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; vs. 150 &amp;#181;mol photons m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt;s&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;) and two different VPD levels (low VPD of 0.3 KPa and high VPD of 1.2 kPa).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;To understand the best combination of environmental factors on microgreens growth in small controlled artificial systems, we compared the biomass production, morphological traits, visual quality parameters (through the leaf colorimetry coordinates) and biochemical traits including chlorophylls, anthocyanins, ascorbic acids, and soluble sugars content. Microgreens were then collected and subjected to the preparation for microscopy analyses to detect possible environmental factor-induced modifications to the anatomical structure.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The overall analysis showed that the microgreens-response is strictly influenced by environmental factors. Results suggested that the possible occurrence of positive outcomes (increments in antioxidant and biomass production) in microgreens can be severely influenced by environmental conditions: such a phenomenon should be taken into account in the design of plant-based modules for crop production in Space.The outcomes of this study will also be helpful to optimize microgreens production in controlled environment agriculture systems on Earth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;
IntroductionLong-duration missions in outer Space will require technologies to regenerate environ... more IntroductionLong-duration missions in outer Space will require technologies to regenerate environmental resources such as air and water and to produce food while recycling consumables and waste. Plants are considered the most promising biological regenerators to accomplish these functions, due to their complementary relationship with humans. Plant cultivation for Space starts with small plant growth units to produce fresh food to supplement stowed food for astronauts’ onboard spacecrafts and orbital platforms. The choice of crops must be based on limiting factors such as time, energy, and volume. Consequently, small, fast-growing crops are needed to grow in microgravity and to provide astronauts with fresh food rich in functional compounds. Microgreens are functional food crops recently valued for their color and flavor enhancing properties, their rich phytonutrient content and short production cycle. Candidate species of microgreens to be harvested and eaten fresh by crew members, ...
Non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) represent the primary carbon (C) reserves and play a crucial ... more Non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) represent the primary carbon (C) reserves and play a crucial role in plant functioning and resilience. Indeed, these compounds are involved in the regulation between C supply and demand, and in the maintenance of hydraulic efficiency. Non-structural carbohydrates are stored in parenchyma of woody organs, which is recognized as a proxy for reserve storage capacity of tree. Notwithstanding the importance of NSCs for tree physiology, their long-term regulation and trade-offs against growth were not deeply investigated. This work evaluated the long-term dynamics of mature tree reserves in stem and root, proxied by parenchyma features and focusing on the trade-off and interplay between the resources allocation in radial growth and reserves in stem and coarse root. In a Mediterranean beech forest, NSCs content, stem and root wood anatomy analysis and eddy covariance data were combined. The parenchyma fraction (RAP) of beech root and stem was different, ...
Summary Late frost can destroy the photosynthetic apparatus of trees. We hypothesized that this c... more Summary Late frost can destroy the photosynthetic apparatus of trees. We hypothesized that this can alter the normal cyclic dynamics of C‐reserves in the wood. We measured soluble sugar concentrations and radiocarbon signatures (Δ14C) of soluble nonstructural carbon (NSC) in woody tissues sampled from a Mediterranean beech forest that was completely defoliated by an exceptional late frost in 2016. We used the bomb radiocarbon approach to estimate the time elapsed since fixation of mobilized soluble sugars. During the leafless period after the frost event, soluble sugar concentrations declined sharply while Δ14C of NSC increased. This can be explained by the lack of fresh assimilate supply and a mobilization of C from reserve pools. Soluble NSC became increasingly older during the leafless period, with a maximum average age of 5 yr from samples collected 27 d before canopy recovery. Following leaf re‐growth, soluble sugar concentrations increased and Δ14C of soluble NSC decreased, in...
Growth and quality attributes were quantified in Cichorium intybus L. and Cichorium endivia L. in... more Growth and quality attributes were quantified in Cichorium intybus L. and Cichorium endivia L. in response to the nitrate supply. Chicory was grown in Italy, in a cold greenhouse from the 11 of February 2020, in a pot with commercial soil and sand with and without 12 mM of Ca(NO3)2. Seventy-six days after sowing, the growth variables, contents of leaf and root carbohydrates (glucose, fructose sucrose starch and fructans), carbon, nitrate sulphate and phosphate were measured. Fertilization significantly increased the yield and specific leaf dry weight (SLDW) of the C. endivia. The shoot/root ratio was increased in C. intybus with high N; this also increased the carbohydrate content in leaves and roots of C. endivia compared to the value measured in C. intybus. The interaction between fertilization and genotype significantly affected fructans and nitrate accumulation in taproots. Fertilization decreased the sulphate and phosphate contents in the leaves and roots of both chicory specie...
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