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For the
first time, Australian seeds have been sent into orbit and
off the planet for an extended time in an experiment being
conducted by the Botanic Gardens Trust.
Botanic
Gardens Trust Executive Director, Dr Tim Entwisle said
Australian seeds are among the hardiest seeds on earth and
may well be suitable as oxygen producers when humans
colonise the moon or other planets.
“It’s
hoped this small experiment will show how Australian seeds
respond to microgravity and ionising radiation, perhaps
demonstrating they are the toughest on earth and in space!,”
Dr Entwisle said.
“This NASA
experiment could even lead to some ground breaking research
by providing a preliminary evaluation of Space Station
seedbanking – a possible option for the future.
“Great
advances in science are often the result of unexpected
results. Sending native seeds into space may open up whole
new research areas, or it may confirm that we are already
doing the best we can to conserve our seed for future
needs,” he said. “Perhaps
more importantly, I hope this short trip into space for some
Aussie seeds will raise awareness of seedbanking as an
insurance policy for the future.”
NASA
astronaut Dr Gregory Chamitoff has taken the seeds with him
on the Discovery Mission. The Discovery launched into space
on 31 May on Mission STS-124 to the International Space
Station. Dr Chamitoff is scheduled to spend up to six
months in space. When he returns to earth he will bring the
seeds back with him.
Dr
Entwisle said the experiment will also highlight the
important role of the Botanic Gardens Trust in ‘seedbanking’
– storing seeds under conditions best suited to extend their
lives.
“This
provides an insurance policy for species that might become
extinct due to global warming or other changes to their
habitat,” he said.
“With
habitats under increasing threat, conservation seedbanking
is an important strategy for both storing and understanding
genetically important wild seeds. As part of a global seed
conservation effort Botanic Gardens Trust is a partner in
the Millennium Seed Bank Project based in the UK.”
The
Australian seeds in Dr Chamitoff’s official flight items kit
include: Golden Wattle, NSW Waratah, Flannel Flower and
Wollemi Pine. Also included is a scarf from Sydney’s Royal
Botanic Gardens depicting three of these species and a
poster describing all four species.
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