ISRO's Breakthrough in Space Agriculture: Germinating Black-eyed Pea Seeds in Space
| Summary/Static | Details |
|---|---|
| Why in the news? | ISRO successfully germinated black-eyed pea seeds in space, marking a milestone in space agriculture. |
| Mission Name | CROPS (Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies) |
| Objective | To explore sustainable plant growth in space for long-duration missions. |
| Key Challenge | Microgravity, radiation, temperature fluctuations, and limited sunlight. |
| Cultivation Methods | Hydroponics, aeroponics, and soil-like media. |
| Technical Features | Mini greenhouse setup with porous clay pellets, controlled atmospheric conditions (20-30°C, 16-hour light/8-hour dark cycles), and LED lighting. |
| Results | Black-eyed pea seeds germinated on the 4th day, with two leaves emerging by the 5th day. |
| Ideal Plants for Space | Leafy greens (lettuce, spinach), legumes (beans, peas), root vegetables (radishes, carrots), and grains (wheat, rice). |