[A feasibility study on the highly-efficient electronic fluorescent lamp used as a lighting source for cultivation of higher plant in space].
OBJECTIVE
To testify that the Highly-efficient Electronic Fluorescent Lamp (HEFL) can be used as a sole lighting source for the cultivation of higher plants in space.


METHODS
The HEFL was utilized as the lighting source for the culture of three varieties of Luctuca sativa L in the lately-constructed Space Higher Plant Cultivation Ground-based Experimental Facility(SHPCGEF). Other culturing conditions were: temperature 20 +/- 0.2 degrees C, relative humidity (75 +/- 1)%, average photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) 70 micromol m-2 s-1 PPF, average wind velocity 0.45 m/s, photoperiod 24 h light/0 h dark, peat + vermiculite substrate culture, useful growing area 1.2 m2, growing period 28 d, one variety was cultured at every batch. Following plant maturing and being harvested, observations of external morphology of above-ground parts of the plants, measurements and calculations of edible biomass output and photosynthetic efficiency, analysis of nutrient compositions such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, amino acids, vitamins and elemental compositions of lettuce leaves, and comparisons with formerly-related experiments were made.


RESULTS
All of the above-mentioned targets met our demands, some of them were superior to the results of other similar experiments.


CONCLUSIONS
The HEFL can completely meet the needs for the growth and development of some higher plants planned to be grown in space, its physical characters basically accord with the demands, so it can be utilized as the only lighting source for higher plant growth in space environmental conditions.
Guo
S S
SS
Institute of Space Medico-Engineering, Beijing, China.
Xu
B
B
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D018533:Biomass; D003470:Culture Media; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D018545:Lactuca / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D008027:Light; D008029:Lighting / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis; D017440:Photoperiod; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D013026:Space Flight / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000032:analysis; D014893:Weightlessness
D000596:Amino Acids; D003470:Culture Media; D008903:Minerals; D014815:Vitamins