Title page for ETD etd-0121104-221651

Document Type	thesis
Author Name	Romagnano, Joseph F.
Email Address	joe at joeswebhut.net
URN	etd-0121104-221651
Title	Aeration and Mode of Nutrient Delivery Affects Growth Of Peas in a Controlled Environment
Degree	MS
Department	Biology & Biotechnology
Advisors	Dr. Pamela J. Weathers, Advisor Dr. Ronald Cheetham, Committee Member Dr. John Sullivan, Committee Member Dr. Jill Rulfs, Department Head
Keywords	advanced life support ethylene carbon dioxide pisum sativum root hypoxia oxygen bioregenerative life support
Date of Presentation/Defense	2003-12-16
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract The development of a plant growth chamber capable of sustaining plant growth over multiple generations is a necessary step towards the attainment of a Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS). The studies herein examine the effects of aeration abilities and rates on plants grown in three model nutrient delivery systems during germination and over the life-cycle of the plant. These studies are the first time a porous tube nutrient delivery system was compared to another active nutrient mist delivery system. During germination an indicator of hypoxic stress, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity, was measured and was more affected by aeration rate than mode of nutrient delivery. Over the life-cycle of the plant, however, plants grown in the porous tube system had the least ADH activity and the highest levels of shoot (leaf + stem), root and leaf biomass. None of the plants in any system, however, produced viable seed. This study highlights the need to optimize aeration capabilities in the root zone of enclosed chambers.
Files	jromagnano.pdf

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