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
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

Browse by Author | Browse by Department | Search all available ETDs

Questions? Email etd-questions@wpi.edu
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.edu

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 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