Context:
Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) joins the prestigious Axiom Mission 4, led by NASA, with support from the European Space Agency, ISRO, and IIST. Six high-yielding crop varieties developed by KAU will be sent to the International Space Station (ISS) for agricultural experiments in microgravity. The research is led by the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, under KAU.
Crop Varieties Selected for Space Research
- Rice: Jyothi, Uma
- Horse gram: Kanakamani
- Sesame: Thilakathara
- Brinjal (eggplant): Soorya
- Tomato: Vellayani Vijay
Research Objectives
- Microgravity Study: Assess how the absence of gravity affects seed germination, growth, and viability.
- Post-Mission Analysis: Seeds will be returned to Earth, planted in controlled conditions, and evaluated for changes in resilience, productivity, and growth behavior.
Indian Representation in Space
- Astronaut Contribution: Group Captain Shubanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force will assist with the space-based experiment aboard the ISS.
- Among Six Indian Projects: KAU’s project is one of six Indian-led experiments on the Axiom Mission 4, standing out in the field of space agriculture.
