BASF and NASA collaboration to pave the way for agriculture in space

§ BASF supports students seeking ways to grow plants in space. NASA, which successfully grew plants from seeds in space, will now conduct plant propagation experiments in space using the propagation method with BASF's contribution.

An experiment to test whether plant buds develop roots in zero gravity was sent to the International Space Station. By 2050, the world population will increase by another 2 billion people, and more than 70 percent of this population will live in cities, which means "150 new Istanbuls". The demands of an ever-growing world population place increasing strain on our planet. Innovations provided by the chemical sector play an important role in addressing these challenges. We are currently consuming more than the world produces. For more sustainable development, economic, environmental and social needs must be balanced, and countries and institutions must work together for this. BASF, the world's leading chemical company, and NASA, the American Space Research Agency, provide an important example of this cooperation. Within this scope, the experimental group of plants prepared for the "agriculture in space project" was sent to the International Space Station (ISS) with a rocket launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 19 February 2017 with BASF's support. The experiment was designed by Maria Koch, Raphael Schilling and David Geray, students at an agricultural secondary school in Germany, and departed from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 19 February 2017 at 09:39 local time via SpaceX rocket. The purpose of the experiment is to investigate whether plant cuttings develop roots in a weightless environment and, if they do, to study the behavior of the roots. This project, which will examine the sprouting of branches when planted after being separated from the plant's main stem, is believed to open a new chapter in space farming research. The students conducting the project want to see whether vegetables can be propagated without seeds in space. If propagation is successful, it will be possible to grow fresh food in space and there will be no need to transport large amounts of seeds from Earth. BASF and NASA have shown interest in the project, with BASF providing scientific support while NASA allocated space at the ISS space station where the experiment will be conducted. Dr. Sebastian Rohrer from BASF's Plant Protection Division, stating that this experiment is the most extraordinary one he and his team have participated in to date, said, "We are looking forward to the day the launch takes place and the results of the experiment with great interest."

A groundbreaking project

Until now, experiments conducted in weightless environments have focused on the behavior of roots growing from seeds, while the plant cuttings used in this experiment have no root system. Therefore, the students in the project aim to investigate whether cuttings can develop roots and leaves without gravity, and if they do, how the process works. The student research team used 15 mm buds of ficus pumila (creeping fig) plant for the experiment. This plant is small enough to fit in a limited space and meets the demanding space travel requirements due to its resistance to temperature differences between 4-28°C. The experiment was handed over to NASA's operations team 36 hours before launch. After the experiment is conducted in space, a control experiment will also be conducted on Earth under the influence of gravity. If the experiment of plant propagation through propagation in zero gravity conditions is successful, it will provide significant convenience for food cultivation during long-term space travels such as those planned to Mars planet in the future.

BASF cooperates with future agriculture experts

Dr. Harald Rang, Senior Vice President of Research and Development at BASF's Plant Protection Division, said regarding the project, "Our hearts beat with passion for science. We are always looking for new methods to solve global problems. In other words, we love radical ideas and unconventional thinking. We are providing scientific advisory and support to the V3PO team for this reason. This way, we will not only open a new window on plant behavior, but also find inspiration for new production areas." he said. Students studying agriculture, Maria, Raphael and David, launched the "V3PO Project" in 2015 in an after-school science club at Edith-Stein School Ravensburg & Aulendorf. Students Maria Koch, Raphael Schilling and David Geray, who work on the project, completed their preparations at BASF's Agriculture Center in Limburgerhof by interning there to ensure the experiment to be conducted at Kennedy Space Center is designed appropriately. Maria Koch, one of the students involved in the project, said, "We are extremely excited that our experiment will reach the ISS. There had been no previous research on the effects of zero gravity on plant buds. This is an experience you can have only once in a lifetime." Within the scope of the experiment, BASF is providing support with its knowledge and products against the possibility of bacterial and fungal contamination of plant cuttings due to heat and humidity differences in space conditions. BASF fungicides will help protect cuttings from fungal damage both during the research on the ISS space station and during the outbound and return journey. BASF plant protection experts supported young scientists with research technical knowledge, scientific advisory, materials and equipment. BASF provided both knowledge and products in this field. BASF fungicides Xemium® and Initium® help keep plant buds healthy during research on the ISS and during the outbound and return journey. The experiment will remain in space for 30 days before being returned to Earth for analysis of results. This is the first school project from Germany accepted into NASA's education program.

About BASF

As BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with social responsibility and environmental protection. Approximately 112,000 BASF Group employees strive for the success of our customers who operate in nearly every country and sector. Our product portfolio is divided into five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Products and Solutions, Agricultural Solutions, and Oil and Gas. BASF achieved annual sales exceeding EUR 70 billion in 2015. BASF shares are traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (BAS), London Stock Exchange (BFA) and Zurich Stock Exchange (BAS). For more information www.basf.com.tr