In vitro plant germplasm conservation applying the slow growth technique under microgravity conditions.

• Grant number: 25/17135-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2026
• End date: April 30, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Crop Science
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Hercilio Viegas Rodrigues
• Grantee: Paulo Hercilio Viegas Rodrigues
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: Piracicaba
• Associated researchers: Clarissa Silva Pires de Castro ; Edval Rodrigues de Viveiros ; Gledson Hernandes Diniz

Abstract

Transporting and maintaining a plant germplasm bank in space is a challenge for implementing some bioregenerative systems on space missions. Plant tissue culture techniques can be used to aid in the maintenance of germplasm banks for some desiccation-sensitive plant species. Slow-growth storage techniques, using different LED light spectrums in in vitro culture, can significantly reduce plant metabolism and maintain explants for long periods without the need for subculture. A viable and low-cost method for evaluating the effect of slow-growth techniques on plant species of interest on Earth would be to use clinostats to simulate microgravity. Therefore, the objective of this project will be to evaluate the effect of different LED light spectrums on the conservation of sweet potato in microgravity, generated by clinorotation in a 3D clinostat. (AU)