[Effect of space environment on germination and vegetation growth in Carthamus tinctorius L].
OBJECTIVE
To substantiate the effects of space condition on medicinal plants.


METHODS
The seeds of medicinal plant Carthamus tinctorius were carried on board a retrievable satellite during 3-18 July, 1994. After returing to earth, the seedling rate, state of growth and development were observed.


RESULTS
The seeding rates, plant heights and branch quantities of weightless seeds and the seeds which were penetrated once and less than once by the heavy ion rays were higher than those of the seeds which were kept on earth, but these indexes of the seeds which were penetrated 2-3 times by the heavy ion rays were higher than those of the ground controlled seeds.


CONCLUSIONS
Weightlessness and little penetration promote the growth and development of Carthamus tinctorius, but much penetration functions the other way round.
Gao
W
W
Institute of Medicinal Plant, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing.
Zhao
S
S
Xue
L
L
Xiao
P
P
Li
X
X
Qi
Z
Z
D031187:Carthamus tinctorius / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000528:radiation effects; D002681:China; D003359:Cosmic Radiation; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D018525:Germination / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D020450:Heavy Ions; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000528:radiation effects; D012639:Seeds / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000528:radiation effects; D013026:Space Flight; D014893:Weightlessness