Novosibirsk scientists have handed over seeds of everbearing strawberries for shipment to the International Space Station (ISS). Vera Petruk, a leading researcher at the Siberian Federal Scientific Center of Agrobiotechnologies (SFNCA) of the Russian Academy of Sciences, reported that after the seeds return from orbit, they will be tested for germination.
We started this interesting project by transferring small-fruited strawberry seeds to the ISS
Everbearing strawberries are known for producing several crops in one season. The plants are capable of laying down flower buds, from which berries appear throughout the warm period.
The seeds are scheduled to be sent into space before the end of spring, but the exact duration of their stay in orbit is not yet known. After returning, scientists will compare the germination rate of the space seeds with those that remained on Earth.
Petruk also added that researchers at the SFNCA have many projects on the introduction of strawberries. They previously received a patent for its cultivation in Siberia.
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