Genetic Trait Screening for Controlled Environment Food Crop Production

Overview

This research initiative focuses on identifying beneficial genetic traits in existing food crop varieties, specifically lettuce and greens, that are well-suited for controlled environment (CE) production systems. The project leverages the unique Space Analog Module (SAM) facility at Biosphere2, which features high CO2 and low light conditions within a recirculating hydroponic system. By evaluating previously shelved genetic material, the research aims to uncover traits such as enhanced nutrition, improved taste, and beneficial phytochemicals that can thrive in specialized growing conditions not originally targeted during traditional open-field breeding programs.

The initiative addresses two key markets: human space travel food production systems and Earth-based greenhouse crop production. The goal is to identify crop cultivars that can adapt to any climate globally and beyond, providing essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals within controlled environment systems.

Technical specifications

• Growing environment: The SAM facility at Biosphere2 provides a controlled environment with high CO2 and low light conditions, simulating space-like growing scenarios
• Production system: Recirculating hydroponic system already proven successful for lettuce production
• Experimental design: Three independent systems enable statistically designed experiments for trait comparison
• Sample size: 40 plants per treatment with 10 data samples randomly selected, surrounded by guard rows
• Monitoring: Aerial and root zone environments monitored throughout growth cycles
• Evaluation metrics: Fresh and dry mass measurements indicate energy and water use efficiency
• Statistical analysis: ANOVA methodology evaluates experimental design and trait comparison
• Test cycle: 45-day test periods for lettuce evaluation
• GEM framework: Genetics Environment Management approach with four decades of validated expertise

Technology readiness level

The research builds upon proven lettuce production success within the SAM facility and the researcher's extensive four-decade experience with controlled environment agriculture. The SAM facility, which the researcher helped design and implement, provides environmental consistency that enables relative comparison over time. The project represents a pre-screening phase for existing genetic material, with the potential to identify future product cultivars beneficial for both space-based and Earth-based controlled environment food production systems. A seed-providing collaborator is sought to enable this trait evaluation research.