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Spaceflight reduces somatic embryogenesis in orchardgrass (Poaceae)
Author(s) -
Conger B. V.,
Tomaszewski Jr Z.,
Mcdaniel J. K.,
Vasilenko A.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
plant, cell and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.646
H-Index - 200
eISSN - 1365-3040
pISSN - 0140-7791
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-3040.1998.00365.x
Subject(s) - somatic embryogenesis , embryo , biology , embryogenesis , dactylis glomerata , zygote , spaceflight , botany , poaceae , microbiology and biotechnology , aerospace engineering , engineering
Somatic embryos initiate and develop from single mesophyll cells in in vitro cultured leaf segments of orchardgrass ( Dactylis glomerata L.). Segments were plated at time periods ranging from 21 to 0·9 d (21 h) prior to launch on an 11 d spaceflight (STS‐64). Using a paired t ‐test, there was no significant difference in embryogenesis from preplating periods of 14 d and 21 d. However, embryogenesis was reduced by 70% in segments plated 21 h before launch and this treatment was significant at P = 0·0001. The initial cell divisions leading to embryo formation would be taking place during flight in this treatment. A higher ratio of anticlinal:periclinal first cell divisions observed in the flight compared to the control tissue suggests that microgravity affects axis determination and embryo polarity at a very early stage. A similar reduction in zygotic embryogenesis would reduce seed formation and have important implications for long‐term space flight or colonization where seeds would be needed either for direct consumption or to grow another generation of plants.