Comparative Studies on Effects of Simulated Microgravity on Growth and Photosynthetic Parameters in Rice and Mungbean

S. S. Jagtap^1*, S. M. Kamble², Jyotsana Dixit³ and P. B. Vidyasagar⁴

¹Department of Physics, Haribhai V. Desai College, Pune, MS, India;

²Dr. D. Y. Patil Arts, Commerce and Science College, Pimpri, Pune, MS, India

³Department of Microbiology, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Pune, MS, India;

⁴Department of Physics, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Pune, MS, India

Corresponding Author E-mail: ssjagtap83@gmail.com

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CARJ.12.1.15

Abstract:

Microgravity or low gravity environment of space can be simulated on Earth by using clinorotation with appropriate speed of rotation. Previous reports show that microgravity environment (real or simulated) affects growth, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic performance in different plants. However, most of the reports showed variation in results. Earlier studies carried out on simulated microgravity (SMG) using clinorotation in our laboratory showed increase in growth, chlorophyll content and various yield attributes in case of laboratory and field grown rice. Subsequent studies were carried out on mungbean seedlings. In the present work, comparative aspects of these studies are reported. Results of the present study showed increase in growth, chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in SMG samples as compared to control samples in rice and mungbean seedlings. Interestingly, percentage of enhancement in growth, chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of SMG samples is significantly higher in rice (monocotyledonous) seedlings as compared to mungbean (dicotyledonous).

Keywords:

Clinorotation; Chlorophyll Fluorescence; Dicotyledonous; Mungbean; Monocotyledonous; Simulated Microgravity

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