Researchers at the University of Zurich believe the plant hormone synthesis could help make farming possible in space . The plant biologists found the hormone supports the symbiosis between fungi and plant roots , helping growth even amid difficult conditions found outside of Earth ’s atmosphere . They tested petunias – a model organism for plants that produce potatoes and tomatoes – with the symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi , in simulated space - like low - gravity environments . Results showed the latter part of the process was slowed by microgravity , but strigolactone countered the effect and helped plants still grow in the low - nutrient environment .
Researchers at the University of Zurich believe the plant hormone strigolactone could help make farming possible in space. The plant biologists found the hormone supports the symbiosis between fungi and plant roots, helping growth even amid difficult conditions found outside of Earth’s atmosphere. They tested petunias – a model organism for plants that produce potatoes and tomatoes – with the symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi, in simulated space-like low-gravity conditions. Results showed the latter part of the process was slowed by microgravity, but strigolactone countered the effect and helped plants still grow in the low-nutrient soil.