EVALUATION OF RAPID CYCLING BRASSICA AS A CANDIDATE OILSEED CROP FOR CONTROLLED ECOLOGICAL LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS

Abstract

The short time to flower and rapid production cycle of dwarf Brassica lines make it a promising candidate as an oilseed crop for NASA's Controlled Ecological Life Support Systems (CELSS) program. Breeding lines provided by Paul H. Williams are being screened at Purdue University for productivity and yield rate using soilless culture techniques under controlled-environment conditions. The small, irregularly-shaped Brassica seeds did not respond well to conventional methods of germination above the batch hydroponic systems, even when a variety of capillary ticking materials were used. At best, attaining uniformity of seedling stands required transplants, which compromised potential yield rates in terms of mechanical damage and inhibited seedling establishment. Present emphasis is on solid substrate soilless mixtures using passive ticking hydroponics systems. Crop growth rate, harvest index, and overall yield are being compared as a function of planting densities ranging from 117 to 1423 plants/m2 of growing area. Yield parameters are also being evaluated as a function of growth medium and level of ambient CO2 in the growth chamber atmosphere. Research sponsored by NASA Cooperative agreement NCC 2-100.