Vladimir Velichko

Ontogenetic approach to assessment of chufa response to culture conditions by the method of chlorophyll fluorescence induction

Application of earlier proposed ontogenetic approach to assessment of chufa (Cyperus esculentus L.) response to artificial-light culture growing conditions differing in illuminance and type of mineral nutrition is described. It was shown that, on biological soil-like substrate, plant productivity did not increase as a result of PAR level rising, and life time of chufa leaves was reduced to 11 days as compared with 18 days on the neutral substrate. Changes in the parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence induction (Fv/Fm, Yield = (Fm − Ft)/Fm, and ETR = 0.5 × 0.84 × Yield × PAR) analyzed on the basis of ontogenetic approach show that it can disclose nonoptimal culture conditions.

A Small Test Closed Ecosystem with An Estimated Portion of Human Metabolism

The study describes a small closed ecosystem used to test technologies to be further employed in full-scale manned closed ecosystems. The experimental ecosystem is designed to use a certain portion of human metabolism, which is included in the gas, water, and organic waste loops of the system. In this experimental ecosystem, gas and water loops are fully closed, and the model enables processing of human waste and plant inedible biomass. A physicochemical method is used to remove pollutants from the air in the system. A human takes part in the gas exchange of the system through its respiration loop. This experimental ecosystem can be used for testing and improving new technologies to be further used in the future space stations.