18th IAA Humans in Space Symposium (2011)
2040.pdf
Different Illuminants Affect the Mineral Absorption and Assimilation of Higher Plants in BLSS
Hui Liu,1 Lingzhi Shao1 and Hong Liu1*
1
Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Life Support Technology, School of Biological Science and Medical
Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
*
Corresponding author, E-mail: LH64@buaa.edu.cn, Tel.: +86-10-8233-9837, Fax: +86-10-8233-9283
ABSTRACT
In the photosynthesis unit of Bioregenerative Life Support System (BLSS), for the special environment, absorption
and assimilation of mineral substances, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and so on, should be different from
that of natural condition. To identify the influences of artificial illuminants on higher plants’ mineral absorption and
assimilation, we used three independent methods with Begonia fimbristipula, lettuce, and rape to show that three
kinds of artificial illuminants’, LED (light emitting diode), HPSL (high pressure sodium lamp), White-Light Sources,
influences on the absorption and assimilation of mineral substances. In plant tissues, content of free NO3-, H2PO4-,
HPO42- ,K+ and total content of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium have been measured by chemical methods. And the
organic contents of them are calculated through the free and total parts. In addition, biomasses of three kinds of leaf
vegetables have also been measured. The results suggest that mineral absorption and assimilation have been
significantly affected by artificial light sources; the quality and biological yield are influenced to some extent.
Furthermore, we have discussed the physiological mechanism. So our experiments put forward some proof for the
physiological mechanism of higher plants’ physiological changes in BLSS, moreover, some practical advices for
plant cultivation in BLSS have been brought forward, too.