Measurement of VOC production and assessment of Biophysical Characteristics of Radishes Raphanus sat

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Measurement of VOC production and assessment of
Biophysical Characteristics of Radishes (Raphanus
sativus L.) biomass production chamber

• Justin Batson
• SLSTP 2004
• PI Ignacio Eraso

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Description

• The three objectives of this research are
• 1) to identify Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
  within the biomass production chamber using Gas
  Chromatography (GC),
• 2) to monitor the biophysical characteristics of
  radishes, and
• 3) to determine which Nutrient Delivery System
  (NDS) produces the healthiest radish.

• The NDS systems include
• hydroponics
• substrate-based
• capillary mats using conventional potting.

The VOC levels of each NDS were monitored daily
in order to determine their effects on the
radishes. The biophysical characteristics include
chlorophyll, dry weight, photosynthesis rate,
leaf area and harvest index.
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Main Story

• The most consistent gases that appeared in the
  biomass chambers were ethylene, acetaldehyde,
  methanol, acetone, and occasionally ethanol. The
  graph below shows the concentration of the gases.

Hydroponics
Potting
Substrate
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Acknowledgements
This research was conducted as part of the 2004
Spaceflight and Life Sciences Training Program
funded by the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration. The authors recognize the support
of the Dynamac Corporation, the NASA Spaceflight
and Life Sciences Training Program Academic
Partner Alliance and the United States Department
of Agriculture. Oscar Monje, Charles Stinston
III, and Aylan Tansel for the construction of the
BPES. Ignacio Eraso for his guidance in pursuit
of this research.