Growth and Development of Seedling and Stem Cell under Microgravity Conditions

The effect of clinostatting and microgravity on plant cells and organs is considered for two types of gravistimulation: static and dynamic. The former is eliminated by both clinostatting and microgravity; the latter is eliminated by microgravity, but is inevitable during clinostatting, and may be perceived by cells if rotation is not fast enough. To test the effect of clinostatting on root cells and development, lettuce seedlings were germinated and grown for two weeks in a spacetron, keeping the centrifugation rate at zero. In the clinorotated plants, amyloplasts were distributed throughout the cells and were not sedimented as in the stationary control. Cells of seedlings grown in a spacetron have significantly different ultrastructures from those grown under control conditions of 1g.