A proposal to demonstrate production of salad crops in the space station mockup facility with particular attention to space, energy, and labor constraints

A desire for fresh vegetables for consumption during long term space missions has been foreseen. To meet this need in a microgravity environment within the limited space and energy available on Space Station requires highly productive vegetable cultivars of short stature to optimize vegetable production per volume available. Special water and nutrient delivery systems must also be utilized. As a first step towards fresh vegetable production in the microgravity of Space Station, several soil-less capillary action media were evaluated for the ability to support growth of two root crops (radish and carrot) which are under consideration for inclusion in a semi-automated system for production of salad vegetables in a microgravity environment (Salad Machine). In addition, productivity of different cultivars of radish was evaluated as well as the effect of planting density and cultivar on carrot production and size. Red Prince radish was more productive than Cherry Belle and grew best on Jiffy Mix Plus. During greenhouse studies, vermiculite and rock wool supported radish growth to a lesser degree than Jiffy Mix Plus but more than Cellular Rooting Sponge. Comparison of three carrot cultivars (Planet, Short n Sweet, and Goldinhart) and three planting densities revealed that Short n Sweet planted at 25.6 sq cm/plant had the greatest root fresh weight per pot, the shortest mean top length, and intermediate values of root length and top fresh weight per pot. Red Prince radish and Short n Sweet carrot showed potential as productive cultivars for use in a Salad Machine. Results of experiments with solid capillary action media were disappointing. Further research must be done to identify a solid style capillary action media which can productively support growth of root crops such as carrot and radish

July 2004 Report of Progress

Progress of each ALS-NSCORT project given by each project lead. 10 pages

February 2005 Report of Progress

Progress of each ALS-NSCORT project given by each project lead. 8 pages

May 2004 Report of Progress

Progress of each ALS-NSCORT project given by each project lead. 11 pages

ALS NSCORT Project Plan Meeting - Alabama A and M University

8 slides Provider Notes:Submitted by Caula Bey

Growth of Edible White Rot Fungal Strains on Culture Media Amended with Various N Sources or Food Waste--Poster Presentation

Increasing the efficacy of edible white rot fungi for degrading residual crop biomass and selection of strains that metabolize biosolid wastes is paramount in developing an effective solid waste recycling system in the ALS of the spacecraft. Previous work in our laboratory had validated the potential of edible white rot fungi in recycling biosolid waste of astronauts by exhibiting tolerance to addition of human biosolid waste (20%) in culture medium. Experiments were conducted to determine the suitability of various sources of nitrogen in enhancing growth in select strains of shiitake and maitake and to investigate strains of shiitake demonstrating greater tolerance to higher concentrations of food waste in culture medium. Significant growth differences were observed between maitake strains in media supplemented with either KNO3 or NH4CL as sources of N. These compounds were also more favorable to growth of the strains than urea. In shiitake, strains showed significant differences for their preference for source of N, however, neither KNO3 nor NH4Cl enhanced growth better than the control. Increasing the concentration of food waste in the culture medium reduced the growth of the four shiitake strains. Only strain LE002 grew in media amended with up to 50% food waste. There is a need to further screen additional strains of edible white rot fungi which will allow growth and basidiocarp production on media amended with food waste. They also underscore the importance of strain selection for use in long term space missions and the need to expand the test to higher percentages of incorporation, more shiitake strains and evaluate basidiocarp development. 1 slide Provider Notes:Dave, I\u27m sending my poster to the address you indicated to me earlier. Thanks. Leopold Related Documents:WM1, WM2, WM3, WM

Enhancing Edible White Rot Fungal Degradation and Recycling of Solid Wastes--EAC Presentation 2004

Current goals for space exploration encompass long-term crewed space flights. The development of a self-sustaining ecosystem on the space station or shuttle requires that astronauts grow their own food and efficiently recycle the waste products. Among the crops suggested for growth in space are wheat, rice, carrots and mushrooms. Optimal and rapid biodegradation of lignin and other cellulosic material of the crop residues by candidate edible white rot fungi is paramount in the use of these organisms to achieve effective biomass recycling in ALS. The incorporation of mineral or organic N into the substrate may enhance growth and fruiting of the fungi thereby increasing the rate of biodegradation of the substrates and biomass recycling. We investigated mycelial growth and fruiting of two strains of Pleurotus ostreatus (Grey Dover and Blue Dolphin) on urea-enriched milled wheat straw. Growth and fruiting of the two strains including another strain (Pohu) on rice straw mixed with solid thermophilic aerobic reactor (STAR) effluent for degradation and recycling were also studied. Both wheat and rice straw used were dried and milled to a size of ?2mm prior to incorporating different concentrations of urea solution in the wheat straw, or varying concentrations of STAR sludge in the rice residue. \u27Grey Dover\u27 produced basidiocarps on the enriched wheat straw from 50-60 days irrespective of concentration of urea used, while \u27Blue Dolphin\u27 did not fruit. High concentration of STAR residue enhanced mycelial growth, however, a relatively lower concentration (20%) was required for abundant fruiting. 1 slide Related Documents:WM1, WM2, WM3, WM

Factors Essential for Optimzing Solid Waste Degradation and Recycling Using Edible White Rot Fungi

Edible white rot fungi (EWRF) have been proposed for solid waste processing involving degradation of the lignocellulosic material and further recycling of food wastes and astronaut biosolids. Use of EWRF in solid waste processing is advantageous in that an edible product, the mushroom, is produced that adds variety to the restrictive diet of the astronaut during extended crewed missions. To optimize the efficiency of EWRF, key parameters (strains, N source, cropping pattern, growth medium/substrate amendment) controlling the biological process were examined under laboratory conditions. Various strains of Lentinula edodes and Grifola frondosa were evaluated in artificial culture media amended with human biosolid or food waste. Mycelial growth in strains of Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinula edodes were measured on single and paired crop substrates. Enhancement of fungal growth by enriching the medium with KNO\d3, NH\d4Cl and urea and incorporation of solid thermophilic aerobic reactor (STAR) sludge in rice straw, as nitrogen sources, was determined. Significant growth differences were observed between G. frondosa strains in media added with either KNO\d3 or NH\d4Cl sources of nitrogen. P. ostreatus \u27Grey Dover\u27 was most prolific in growth and mushroom production in various crop residues. The use of EWRF may be a cost-effective way to accomplish solid waste processing in an ALS system that requires low-cost technologies applicable to the reduction of Equivalent System Mass (ESM), a major requisite for long- term space exploration or habitation

Edible Fungal Growth and Fruiting on Composted Containerized Inedible Crop Biomass

Current goals for space exploration are predicated upon long-term manned space flights and colonization of planetary habitats. Long periods in space without payloads of necessary items from Earth require the development of a self-sustaining ecosystem that will allow astronauts to grow their own food and efficiently recycle the waste products. Crops suggested for growth in space include wheat, rice, carrots, soybean, mushrooms, etc. Optimal and rapid biodegradation of lignin and other cellulosic material of crop residues by candidate edible white rot fungal strains is paramount in the use of these organisms to achieve effective biomass recycling in an advanced life support system (ALS). The incorporation of organic N into the substrate and pairing crop residues may enhance growth and fruiting of the edible fungi, thus increasing the rate of biodegradation of the substrates and biomass recycling. We investigated the mycelial growth of two strains of Pleurotusostreatus (`Grey Dover\u27 and `Blue Dolphin\u27) on processed single vegetative residues of soybean, cowpea, tomato, sweetpotato, or their 1:1 combination with wheat or rice straw. Growth and fruiting of the two strains including another strain (`Pohu\u27) on rice straw mixed with solid thermophilic aerobic reactor (STAR) effluent for degradation and recycling were also studied. Mycelial growth and fruiting in `Grey Dover\u27 and `Blue Dolphin\u27 were significantly repressed on sweetpotato and basil; however, growth of the two strains was improved when sweetpotato and basil substrates were paired with rice or wheat straw. Fruiting was prolific in paired combinations of soybean with wheat or rice straw. High concentration of STAR residue enhanced mycelial growth; however, a relatively lower concentration was required for abundant fruiting

Nitrogen Amendment Enhances Edible White Rot Fungal Growth and Biodegradation of Containerized Inedible Crop Residues

Edible white rot fungi have been proposed for selective plant biomass transformation and recycling in a sustainable advanced life support (ALS) ecology needed for extraterrestrial expeditions, such as the mission to Mars. Food waste slurry was incorporated into artificial fungal culture media to test for strain tolerance, while urea and food waste were amended in processed wheat and rice straw, as sources of N, to enhance fungal growth, biodegradation, and recycling of the crop wastes. Mycelial growth in food waste-amended artificial culture media decreased with an increase in food waste concentration, while tolerance to high food waste concentration under these conditions was species dependent. Pleurotus ostreatus Grey Dove and P. pulmonarius were most efficient in degradation when food waste was supplemented at 80% (v/v) in wheat straw. However, when both species were cocultured, addition of food waste to wheat straw did not improve degradation efficiency. Mycelial growth and colonization of P. cornucopiae Golden Oyster was enhanced in food waste-amended rice straw compared to growth in the control. Basidiocarp production occurred only in the amended media; however, the quantity of fruit bodies decreased with increased concentration of food waste in the amended rice straw. Enriching wheat straw with urea stimulated fruiting only in Grey Dove at 50-60 days after inoculation. P. ostreatus Blue Dolphin did not fruit in amended wheat straw despite prolific mycelial colonization of the substrate. Amending inedible crop residues with organic or mineral N at predetermined rates may enhance edible white rot fungal biodegradation of the lignocellulosic residues if tolerant strains are used. Description:6 page