In the view of long-term manned missions for Space exploration, the knowledge of mechanisms of plant resistance to IR is an open challenge for biologists. The selection of the best plant species to be cultivated in closed ecosystems on board space platforms, should consider not only the plant role in regenerating resources (e.g. oxygen and air), but also their importance as source of edible biomass for astronaut diet. In order to reach efficient plant growth, it is important to modulate the lighting during cultivation, also considering its possible interaction with space factors, such as IR. In this study, we analyse the behaviour of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) seedlings grown at different light quality regimes (W-White, R-Red and RB-Red-Blue light) after the exposure of germinated seeds at three doses of X-rays (0.3, 10 and 20 Gy) along with the non-irradiated control. Plant growth was monitored by measuring stem elongation, dry biomass, and total leaf area. Fluorescence a emission measurements, the amount of chlorophyll and carotenoids, as well as the Rubisco level, were analysed to evaluate the integrity of the photosynthetic machinery. More specifically, we evaluated the possibility that different light qualities would affect plant capability to withstand IR. Our results showed that the growth under R wavelengths promoted stem elongation compared to W and RB, independently from applied X-ray dose; the different doses did not cause changes in root length and root/shoot ratio. The RB treatment was responsible for the lowest production of chlorophylls and carotenoids at all doses of X-rays. Photochemistry was affected by neither different light regimes nor X-rays doses. R light induced a higher stability of protein expression level that was insensitive to the delivered dose of X-rays. Overall results indicate that the growth under R light helps seedlings to buffer the effects of different X-ray doses.
Combined effect of ionizing radiation and light quality on mung bean seedlings: implications for growth in Space ecosystems / Amitrano, C.; De Micco, V.; Vitale, E.; Pugliese, M.; Arena, C.. - unico:(2017), pp. 176-176. (Intervento presentato al convegno XXVII Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di Ecologia “La ricerca ecologica in un mondo che cambia” tenutosi a Napoli nel 12-15 Settembre 2017).
Combined effect of ionizing radiation and light quality on mung bean seedlings: implications for growth in Space ecosystems
Amitrano C.;De Micco V.;Vitale E.;Pugliese M.;Arena C.
2017
Abstract
In the view of long-term manned missions for Space exploration, the knowledge of mechanisms of plant resistance to IR is an open challenge for biologists. The selection of the best plant species to be cultivated in closed ecosystems on board space platforms, should consider not only the plant role in regenerating resources (e.g. oxygen and air), but also their importance as source of edible biomass for astronaut diet. In order to reach efficient plant growth, it is important to modulate the lighting during cultivation, also considering its possible interaction with space factors, such as IR. In this study, we analyse the behaviour of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) seedlings grown at different light quality regimes (W-White, R-Red and RB-Red-Blue light) after the exposure of germinated seeds at three doses of X-rays (0.3, 10 and 20 Gy) along with the non-irradiated control. Plant growth was monitored by measuring stem elongation, dry biomass, and total leaf area. Fluorescence a emission measurements, the amount of chlorophyll and carotenoids, as well as the Rubisco level, were analysed to evaluate the integrity of the photosynthetic machinery. More specifically, we evaluated the possibility that different light qualities would affect plant capability to withstand IR. Our results showed that the growth under R wavelengths promoted stem elongation compared to W and RB, independently from applied X-ray dose; the different doses did not cause changes in root length and root/shoot ratio. The RB treatment was responsible for the lowest production of chlorophylls and carotenoids at all doses of X-rays. Photochemistry was affected by neither different light regimes nor X-rays doses. R light induced a higher stability of protein expression level that was insensitive to the delivered dose of X-rays. Overall results indicate that the growth under R light helps seedlings to buffer the effects of different X-ray doses.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
