Cowpeas and pinto beans: Performance and yields of candidate space crops in the laboratory biosphere closed ecological system

摘要: Abstract An experiment utilizing cowpeas ( Vigna unguiculata L.), pinto beans Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and Apogee ultra-dwarf wheat Triticum sativa was conducted in the soil-based closed ecological facility, Laboratory Biosphere, from February to May 2005. The lighting regime 13 h light/11 h dark at a light intensity of 960 μmol m −2  s −1 , 45 mol m  day supplied by high-pressure sodium lamps. were grown two different planting densities. Pinto bean production 341.5 g dry seed m (5.42 g m ) 579.5 dry seed m (9.20 g m planted densities 32.5 plants m 37.5 plants m respectively. Cowpea yielded 187.9 g dry (2.21 g m 348.8 dry (4.10 g m 20.8 plants m 27.7 crop elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, with levels ranging 300–3000 ppm daily during majority cycle. During early stages (first 10 days) crop, CO 2 allowed rise 7860 ppm while soil respiration dominated, then brought down plant photosynthesis. injected 27 times days 29–71 replenish used Temperature 24–28 °C day/deg 20–24 °C night. matured harvested 20 earlier than is typical for this variety, cowpea, which had trouble establishing, took 25 more harvest variety. Productivity dynamic results these studies contribute toward design an envisioned ground-based test bed prototype Mars base.