Australian native plant seeds are currently hurtling through space on board the International Space Station to test the effect of zero gravity on their storage.
Img: Branch of Wollemi Pine. Credit: John Dalton
Experts are testing some 2,500 seeds, including such iconic Australian plant species as the NSW Waratah, Golden Wattle and Flannel flower. They are also looking to see whether storing seeds in outer space is a viable option and will study the effects of radiation and changed gravity on the seeds.
Included among the seeds are some taken from the Wollemi Pine, an ancient pine tree thought to be extinct for millions of years and only recently rediscovered in New South Wales.
"With habitats under increasing threat, conservation seed banking is an important strategy for both storing and understanding genetically important wild seeds," said Tim Entwisle, executive director of the Botanic Gardens Trust.
"This experiment could lead to some groundbreaking research by providing a preliminary evaluation of Space Station seed banking -- a possible option for the future," he added.
Dr. Entwisle said having a seed bank in outer space will serve two purposes, firstly as "an insurance policy for the world... to have some (seeds) up in space as well," and also as a testing area to provide data on the planting of food and vegetation on other planets.
Previous experiments storing seeds in outer space have resulted in interesting outcomes.
The Age reports Chinese news sources as saying that space-bred tomato and green pepper seeds resulted in harvests 10-20 percent larger than ordinary seeds, and that vegetables grown from space-bred seeds have a higher vitamin content.
Dr. Entwisle said he had no doubt the Australian natives would survive their space mission because they were uniquely adapted to extreme conditions such as drought and bushfire.
"Our hypothesis is that the trip in space for six months won't have any major impact on these very tough, resilient seeds," he said. "They might be the sort of things we would take up into space not only for food but also if we're looking at producing oxygen in space or setting up micro-climates."
The seeds arrived at the International Space Station aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on May 31, and are due to return to Earth at the end of November.
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