New Delhi. Indian Space Research Organization i.e. ISRO has been praised all over the world for its achievements. Now once again ISRO has achieved this feat and added a new page in India’s space history. Cowpea seeds kept in the POEM4 CROPS vehicle which ISRO had recently sent by PSLV C60 rocket have germinated. ISRO hopes that soon leaves will also emerge from these cowpea seeds. Eight cowpea seeds were placed in the POEM4 CROPS vehicle. All have sprouted in space. ISRO is continuously monitoring the germinated seeds. For this, the vehicle is equipped with high resolution cameras, instruments to measure the concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide, instruments to measure humidity and test the moisture in the soil. Apart from this, the temperature in the vehicle is also being controlled to convert the seeds into plants.
ISRO had chosen cowpea seeds for this experiment because they germinate quickly and are also important from nutritional point of view. These seeds were sent into space by keeping them in a closed box with the right temperature. Earlier ISRO scientists had expected that cowpea seeds could germinate in 7 days, but these seeds germinated in only 4 days. The mission of the POEM4 CROPS spacecraft is to study seed germination and plant health in low gravity conditions. ISRO has strengthened India’s position in space research. The success of this experiment will prove important in the future towards growing plants and vegetables for food in space. This will help astronauts to grow food grains on the Moon, Mars or the International Space Station.
It is being told that after the germination of cowpea seeds, experiments will be done on spinach also. This experiment on growing spinach will be done simultaneously on earth and in space. So that it can be known whether it rises simultaneously in different gravity conditions or whether the speed of its rise is faster at some places and slower at others. In space, spinach cells will be given sunlight like conditions and nutrients with the help of gel and LED light. Also a camera will be installed. This will reveal what form the spinach cells are taking. If the color of spinach cells changes in space, then it will be believed that spinach can be grown there also.
