title: Selection of root-zone media for higher plant cultivation in space.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the cultivating effects of several mineral matters used as root-zone media for higher plant growth in space.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four kinds of artificial and natural mineral matters were used as plant root-zone media based on lots of investigation and analysis. Nutrient liquid was delivered into the media by a long capillary material, and roots of plants obtained nutrition and water from the media. The related parameters such as plant height and photosynthetic efficiency were measured and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The growing effect in a mixture of coarse and fine ceramic particles with equal quantity proportion was the best, that in fine ceramic particles was the second best, that in clinoptilolite particles was the third and that in diorite particles was the last.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mixture of coarse and fine ceramic particles with equal quantity possesses not only fine capillary action, but also good aerating ability, and therefore is capable of being utilized as an effective root-zone media for higher plants intended to be grown in space.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Space Medico-Engineering, Beijing. guoshuangsheng@tom.com
authors.forename: Shuang-sheng
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Wei-dang
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Ai
authors.forename: Cheng-jian
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Li-jun
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Jian-xiao
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D001031:Apatites; D002516:Ceramics; D003470:Culture Media; D018504:Ecological Systems, Closed; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D018527:Hydroponics / Q000379:methods*; D018545:Lactuca / Q000254:growth & development*; D008021:Life Support Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009753:Nutritive Value; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000378:metabolism; D013026:Space Flight; D017641:Zeolites
chemical_list: D001031:Apatites; D003470:Culture Media; C083175:clinoptilolite; D017641:Zeolites