The assumption of scientists that seeds with strong pigmentation retain greater viability in the space environment has been confirmed. The preliminary results of the “Biorisk” experiment were summarized by Kirill Sergeevich Golokhvast, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Education, Director of the Siberian Federal Scientific Centre of Agro-BioTechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, at the International Forum of Technological Development “Technoprom” press conference.
“We sent rape seeds of three varieties, wheat of five varieties, sown millet, chick pea, peas and soybeans. Wheat showed the highest germination, from 80 to 100%, chick pea — 55—70%, rapeseed — from 60%, peas — 60— 80%, and soybeans, unfortunately, only 40%. Germinated crops are characterized by friendly germination, formation of vegetative organs — roots, stems, leaves, which perform the most important functions of nutrition, photosynthesis and movement of substances in the plant. In the course of phenological observations of plants that have sprouted from the seeds that have been in space, no deviations from the plants cultivated in terrestrial conditions have been revealed,” Kirill Golokhvast reported.
At the same time, the director of the SFSCA RAS noted that during the experiments on long-term storage of the seeds not on Earth, soybean showed the best safety and germination. He also noted that the “Biorisk” project, aimed at preparing for long interplanetary flights, includes two more series of experiments: some seeds will return from the ISS in six months and a year and a half.
In addition to the SFSCA RAS, the Institute of Medical and Biological Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, as well as the Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources, and the Federal Scientific Center of Agricultural Biotechnology of the Far East named after A.K. Chaiki take part in the experiment.