Space Scientists Want to Cultivate Rice in Space, But It Comes With Some Challenges: New Research Says

Delicious food and space are not a combination we often hear. But that doesn't mean nutrition is not on the minds of space scientists. They realize that the more well-fed their astronauts are, the less chance there will be of committing mistakes, according to Discover Magazine. Many projects are in the developmental phase to facilitate crop growth in space. One of the most noteworthy ones involves a grain, which is the staple food of many countries: rice. Along with being a staple food, it is also a primary ingredient in many delicious delicacies.

Moon-Rice Project

Currently, astronauts depend on pre-prepared meals for their dietary needs in space, according to Science Daily. Missing out on fresh ingredients has a damaging effect on their already weakened health. The objective of the Moon-Rice project is to ensure they grow the perfect crop in space, which can provide essential vitamins, fibers, and antioxidants. They want their products to sustain life in long-duration missions. "Living in space is all about recycling resources and living sustainably," shared Marta Del Bianco, a plant biologist at the Italian Space Agency. "We are trying to solve the same problems that we face here on Earth." The project is a collaboration between the Italian Space Agency and three Italian Universities. Del Bianco updated that the project began nine months ago, and the preliminary results are very encouraging. 

Growing crops in Space

There are many challenges associated with growing crops like rice in space. One of the most prominent ones is their size. Experts claim that even the dwarf varieties of rice are too big to cultivate in space. Del Bianco believes that what they need is a "super-dwarf" variety, but that comes with its own set of issues. Creating super-dwarf varieties does not require any new technology. There is a method in place involving the manipulation of a plant hormone called gibberellin, which can do the deed. The problem is that such a manipulation hampers the process of seed germination. It decreases the crop's productivity, which is not ideal. "They're not an ideal crop, because in space, you just don't have to be small, you must also be productive," Del Bianco explained. Researchers are actively looking for solutions.

Experts from the University of Milan are determining mutant rice varieties that grow to 4 inches (10 cm) in height. On the other hand, scholars from Sapienza University of Rome have identified genes that can transform plant architecture to achieve maximum production and growth efficiency. Del Bianco and her team are currently concentrating on increasing the protein content of the rice via enhancing the ratio of the protein-rich embryo to starch.

The team is also trying to find ways in which the crop could deal with microgravity in space. "We simulate micro-gravity on Earth by continually rotating the plant so that the plant is pulled equally in all directions by gravity. Each side of the plant gets activated continuously, and it doesn't know where the up and down is," shared Del Bianco. "It's the best we can do on Earth because, unfortunately, doing experiments in real microgravity conditions, i.e., in space, is complex and expensive."

Other Projects in Line

Apart from the Moon-Rice project, other programs are also actively introducing crop production in space. In 2022, NASA scientists found that "Arabidopsis thaliana," a relative of mustard greens, could be cultivated on the moon. Vegetable Production System or "Veggie," a garden on the International Space Station (ISS), has also been able to grow a variety of crops, like lettuce, cabbage, and kale. Boulder, Colorado-based Space Lab Technologies will send a payload to space that could help them study plant growth in an extraterrestrial environment.