Download - Space Chili Seeds

MICROGRAVITY

SCIENCE EDUCATION

PROGRAMME (ASIAN KIBO MISSION:

MALAYSIA SPACE SEED

MODULE)

3

CONTENTS

1.0 PROJECT BACKGROUND ...................................................................................................... 5

1.1 JAXA Programme .............................................................................................................. 5

1.2 MALAYSIA SPACE SEED PROGRAMME .......................................................................... 5

1.3 WHY CHILLI?.................................................................................................................... 6

2.0 ASIAN KIBO MISSION: MALAYSIA SPACE SEED COMPETITION ............................... 7

2.1 ABOUT THE COMPETITION ............................................................................................ 7

2.2 RULES AND REGULATIONS ............................................................................................. 9

2.3 Project Requirements and Costing ............................................................................... 10

2.5 CALENDER OF ACTIVITY / TIMELINE ......................................................................... 11

3.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE ........................................................................................... 13

3.1 RESEARCH PROPOSAL: .................................................................................................. 13

3.2 CROP CULTURE & DATA COLLECTION ....................................................................... 15

3.2.1 ACTIVITY PRIOR TO SOWING .............................................................................. 15

3.2.2 SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING SELECTION ............................................ 16

DATA RECORDING.............................................................................................................. 21

3.2.3 TRANSPLANTING .......................................................................................................... 23

DATA RECORDING: ............................................................................................................ 26

3.2.4 CROP MAINTENANCE ................................................................................................. 36

3.2.5 YIELD COMPONENTS ............................................................................................. 38

DATA RECORDING.............................................................................................................. 41

3.3 REPORT WRITING .......................................................................................................... 45

APPENDIX 1 : INFORMATION ABOUT MICROGRAVITY ....................................................... 46

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MICROGRAVITY SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAMME

(ASIAN KIBO MISSION: MALAYSIA SPACE SEED MODULE)

i. Introduction to Module

Dear Teachers & Students,

Salam 1 Malaysia

The ANGKASA agency is pleased to present this manual to you and your

colleagues

as part of our continuing space science education program to promote the

interest in space science as a valuable field of science for our Malaysian

future generation. This manual deals with the field in seed science

technology, where we think that seed is the starting element for the

sustainable life in the universe. It is our sincere hope that the manual will

serve as a useful resource for educators, students, and parents who are

concerned about their engagement with the space science as one of the

potential future career. It is also for those who wish to participate in

school and community efforts to diversify the understanding of the space

science technology among students.

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1.0 PROJECT BACKGROUND

1.1 JAXA Programme

The Space Environment Utilization Working Group (SEU WG) is launching its own

space mission for the first time. The Space Seed for Asian Future (SSAF) 2010-2011

mission has been planned and developed by the space agencies participating in the

SEU WG. The task force aims to joint utilizations of Japanese Experiment Module

KIBO of the International Space Station by countries in the region.

Based on Asian KIBO Mission Planning Task Force #3 Meeting held on 1st July

2010 which consists of the space agencies of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and

Vietnam, it was agreed that all members to launch their own seeds with the main

keyword Space and Asian Seeds under the theme of Space Seeds for Asian

Future (SSAF2010). The seeds are placed inside KIBO at ambient temperature. The

Members (Asian task force country) are required to prepare specimens respectively

for local activity.

Objective of this international program is to promote space awareness and better

understanding of science in the country. Overall the SSAF2010-2011 program will

deepen understanding of the importance of space utilization by people in the Asia-

Pacific region and will stimulate scientific interest among young students.

1.2 MALAYSIA SPACE SEED PROGRAMME

Malaysia through National Space Agency (ANGKASA) has established a local

committee to conduct this program. The local committee for Malaysian Space SEED

Programme consist of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Malaysian Agricultural

Research & Development Institute (MARDI), and Department of Agriculture (DOA).

Objective of the Malaysian Space SEED Educational Programme is :-

i. To promote of microgravity science - space awareness;

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ii. To develop student interest and skill in scientific space experiments and

research;

iii. To compare, analyze and do hypothesis about the growth of microgravity

environment exposed seed compared to earth grown seed.

Malaysia sent 100gram of Capsicum annum (chilli) seeds and developed our very

own local program comprised of 2 components incorporating both education and

research. The seeds were launched to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard

"KOUNOTORI2" (HTV2, a cargo transporter to the ISS) by JAXA on 22 January 2011.

The seeds are then retrieved several months later, hitching a ride onboard the final

mission of Space Shuttle Endeavour, STS 134 back to Earth.

1.3 WHY CHILLI?

Chilli seeds were chosen by the committee because it was readily available, easily

prepared by Malaysia. In particular, MC11 was selected because it is a variant

developed by our local scientists at MARDI. The proposed seeds were later approved

by the technical committee of ISS to be brought up and spend 4 month in space.

7

2.0 ASIAN KIBO MISSION: MALAYSIA SPACE SEED COMPETITION

2012

2.1 ABOUT THE COMPETITION

i) Title:

Asian KIBO Mission: Malaysia Space Seed

ii) Organizer:

This competition is organized by the National Space Agency (ANGKASA),

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency with the collaboration of Ministry of

Education (MOE), Malaysian Agricultural Research & Development

Institute (MARDI), Department of Agriculture (DOA).

iii) Nature of competition:

Participants are required to conduct a research project to evaluate growth

performance of Capsicum annum seeds.

iv) Eligibility

This competition is open to all secondary school students in Malaysia.

Schools are only allowed to send in one team comprises a maximum of

20 students supervised by 4 teachers.

v) Competition Entry

Submission of the entry competition must be made through online

application via web page http://astronomi.angkasa.gov.my/spaceseeds

All entries to the competition must be submitted to and received by the

Organizer no later than the respective deadline.

One school can submit only one application.

vi) Important Datelines

Advertisement and call for application : 1 November 2011

Closing Date for application: 31 January 2012

Notification of successful application: March 2012

vii) Infrastructural Requirements:

The school must have:

- Internet access

- Area for seed germination and planting at least for 40 plants

http://www.google.com.my/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jaxa.jp%2Findex_e.html&ei=18HATYPZH8KIrAewrbncAw&usg=AFQjCNFWpQTUzQPVNKJDPpxsYscMyj0U0g

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viii) Expenditure to conduct the experiment:

All expenses/costs to be borne by the schools.

ix) Prizes & Reward

All participants will be given a token and certificate of participation

jointly issued by JAXA, MOE and ANGKASA.

x) The Organizer;

Reserve the right to use all works/materials produced by the

Participants under the Competition for any purposes without

prior notice or consent.

Reserve the right to vary, postpone or reschedule the dates of

the competition or extend the competition period at their sole

discretion.

Shall not be responsible for any damage to and/or personal

injuries sustained in the course of the Competition.

Shall not be responsible for any non-compliant of the Pesticide

Act 1974.

xi) Disclaimer

By participating in this Competition, the Participants agree and shall

ensure that all team members, the teacher-in-charge and the school

authorities agree to abide by the competition Rules and Regulations

and all decisions made by the Organizers.

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2.2 RULES AND REGULATIONS

i) Each school can only register one team consisting of a maximum of 4

teacher advisors and 20 students.

ii) Each team will receive 2 packets of seeds (Space Seeds and Control

Seeds) from the Organizer.

iii) Only seeds provided by the Organizer are allowed to be used

in this competition.

iv) Each team is required to send their data within the timeline given

supported by photographs using the designated website

(http://astronomi.angkasa.gov.my/spaceseeds)

v) Each team is required to send in a final report based on the data

obtain within the deadline.

vi) The final report must be written in English.

vii) The final report must be submitted using the designated website.

viii) The judges decision is final.

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2.3 PROJECT REQUIREMENTS AND COSTING

This project may involve the use of the following items. An estimate of the

cost of each item is provided below.

No Item Unit Price per unit (RM)

Quantity required

RM

Hand throwel / fork 1 pair 8.00 2 16.00

Gloves 1 pair 3.00 10 30.00

Watering can 1 pc 5.00 2 10.00

Spray bottle 1 pc 13.00 2 26.00

Polybags, 12 X 18 1 pc 0.80 50 40.00

Soil mixture 1 bag 6.00 50 300.00

Chord 1 roll 6.00 1 6.00

Support stake 1 pc 0.50 50 25.00

Plastic tray size 40 X 80 cm

1 pc 10.00 2 20.00

Fertilisers, NPK Blue Special

1 kg 4.00 3 12.00

Foliar Fertiliser (Bayfolan)

4L 64.00 1 64.00

Peat Gro 1 packet

16.00 1 16.00

Tag label 1 roll 50.00 1 50.00

Total 615.00

Costing of Optional Apparatus

No Item Unit Price per unit (RM)

Quantity required

RM

1 Fencing and Roofing for 30 plants

7 X 21 850.00 2 units 1700.00

2 Insecticide 1 bottle 100.00 2 200.00

3 Mask 1 box 60.00 1 60.00

Total 1960.00

Note :

a) Creative use of the recycle materials is encouraged

b) All expenses/costs to be borne by the schools

c) Teachers may use this costing list in their project proposal

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2.5 CALENDER OF ACTIVITY / TIMELINE

Tentative dates Timeframe Activities

06.03.2012 - Notification of successful application

03.04.2012 - Briefing on the module to the

teachers.

Ceremony for seed distributions to

schools

03.04.2012 -

09.04.2012

1 week from receiving

feedback.

Seed handling keep seeds in

refrigerator before sowing

Seedling preparation in trays

Preparing research proposal.

09.04.2012 - Submit the research proposal

09.04.2012 Simultaneous

sowing

Start competition : sowing

16.04.2012 -

22.04.2012 (Week 1)

1 week after sowing Send report on germination

behaviour online

20 days before

transplanting

Spray foliar fertilizer weekly until

experiment ends.

23.04.2012 -

29.04.2012 (Week 2)

2 weeks after sowing Send report of germination

behaviour online

30.04.2012 Prepare polybags for transplanting

14.05.2012 Simultaneously 35

days after sowing

Transplanting

1) 21.05.2012 (Week 1)

2) 28.05.2012 (Week 2)

3) 04.06.2012 (Week 3)

Every week after

transplanting

Submission of progressive report on

Morphological Characteristics ,

Reproductive Characteristics & Yield

Characteristics online.

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4) 11.06.2012 (Week 4)

5) 18.06.2012 (Week 5)

6) 25.06.2012 (Week 6)

7) 02.07.2012 (Week 7)

8) 09.07.2012 (Week 8)

14 days after

transplanting (DAT)

Application of fertilizer I

17 DAT Application of pesticides I

30 DAT Fixing plant support

35 DAT Application of fertilizer II

40 DAT Pest and disease control II

42 DAT Application of fertilizer III

45-50 DAT Pest and disease control III

14.07.2012 -

30.07.2012

60-75 DAT Harvesting

03.08.2012 - Submit final report online

September 2012 - Evaluation of top 10 schools

December 2012 - Announcement of winners

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3.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

3.1 RESEARCH PROPOSAL:

The school has to come up with a research proposal. The research proposal should

consist of the following:

The proposal should be 2-3 pages only.

REMINDER:

The proposal should be sent online to the following address:

http://astronomi.angkasa.gov.my/spaceseeds

Helpline for enquiries and consultation:- [email protected]

Organization Chart:

Name of School

School Address

Name of Principal

Teacher Advisors 1.

2.

3.

4.

Group Leader

Name of Participants

(maximum 20)

Email address

School Telephone No

School Fax No.

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Format of Proposal:

Title

Problem Statement

Objectives

Research questions

Literature review

Methodology

Gantt Chart

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3.2 CROP CULTURE & DATA COLLECTION

3.2.1 ACTIVITY PRIOR TO SOWING

Seeds should be kept at proper storage conditions. To maintain seed viability, it is best to store seeds with low moisture content and stored in a cool, dry place. For short term storage, low moisture content seeds can be kept at room temperature but if seeds are to be stored longer, they should be kept at low temperatures (1020C).

Seeds can be packed in pouches, plastic bag or cans to avoid contact to prevent absorption of moisture from the atmosphere. Seed containers should be labeled to indicate species, cultivar, moisture content, germination percentage & date tested, date of production, and sometimes instructions how to grow the plants.

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STEP BY STEP ACTIVITY PRIOR TO SOWING

A) Receiving seed 1. Inspect conditions, labels upon receiving. 2. Seeds should be kept in their sealed envelopes until just prior to planting. 3. Keep in refrigerator prior to use.(Not in freezer) 4. Make sure to avoid extreme conditions (temperature)

B) Preparation For Sowing

Refer to 3.2.2

3.2.2 SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING SELECTION

The basic requirement for germination is water and air (oxygen). Water is imbibed through the micropyle, an opening in the seed coat. This activates biochemical reaction within the seed, which releases nutrients and other growth factors for the embryo to resume active cell division, organ differentiation and thus growth and development. The first organ that emerges from the seed is the radical, which is the primary or the first root, followed by the cotyledons, the first leaves. In chilli, the cotyledons grow above the seed and this orientation is called epigeal. Germination medium such as soil or peat pellets, provides support for the seedling to anchor and orientate itself in relation to geotropism. Emergence is the appearance of seed cotyledon above the surface during germination .

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hypocotyl

cotyledon

Pictures are showing seedling emergence

Stage 1 Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

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Stage 5

Seedling emergence can be count at stage 3

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STEP BY STEP SOWING:

1. Obtain peat gro from any nursery

2. Obtain 2 units of germination trays (plastic egg trays can be used as

an alternative)

3. Fill the trays with peat- gro

4. Water till wet

5. Sow 50 seeds each of type a and type b chillies in the trays

6. Place germination trays away from direct sunlight

7. Record germination rate behaviour.

8. Spray seedlings gently with foliar fertiliser 15 days after sowing

9. Spray seedlings gently with insecticide 20 days after sowing

10. Record the germination behaviour in the table provided.

Reminder :

1. Dont forget to prepare for transplanting. Refer Transplanting

2. Dont forget to look after your little seedlings

Tip:

Emergence of seedling needs food supply after two weeks germinated. Put two

fertilizer of NPK blue special on the media. Precaution! Be careful, dont touch the

seedling with the fertiliser, it will die.

Fig. : Germination tray Fig : Fill the trays with peat- gro

Fig. : Fill the tray with peat gro.

20

PARAMETERS TO BE MEASURED BY STUDENTS

1 Germination Behaviour

Record appearance of 1st seedling (once) Record number of emergence daily (every day for 14 days) Calculate Mean Germination Time using formula given Record emergence percentage at day 14 (once)

2 Morphological Characteristics

Plant height from soil to the top of the plant (weekly, starting from 14 DAT)

Stem diameter at 15 cm from soil surface (weekly, starting from 14 DAT) use a vernier calipers to measure diameter

Canopy diameter (weekly, starting from 14 DAT)

3 Reproductive Characteristics Appearance of first flower for the whole batch of 20 plants (once)

Record total number of flowers (for selected sample of 5 plants) on week 7

4 Yield Characteristics

A. Number of fruits per plant (once on last day) B. Average length of fruit (once on last day for selected sample of 5

plants)

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DATA RECORDING

1 Germination Behaviour

Day Sample

Space Ground

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

Instruction Menu

Record the number of new seedlings that emerge each day from days 1 - 14

CLICK to see what a new seedling emergence looks like (MARDI - picture of an emergence)

Do not count the same seedling twice!

REMEMBER! You must key in your results twice on days 7 and 14

Calculate the Mean Germination Time (MGT) using the formula :

( Dn ) / n

where

n is the number of seeds, which emerges on day D, and

D is the number of days counted from the beginning of germination (D = 1, 2, 3, , 14)

Find the percentage of emergence using the formula : ( Number of seedlings Total number of seeds sowed ) x 100%

Take photographs of your seedlings

Present your data creatively for your final report

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12

13

14

Total

Mean Germination Time

(MGT)

Percentage of Emergence

Emergence of 1st seedling

Space Seeds : _________________

Ground Seeds : _________________

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3.2.3 TRANSPLANTING

Transplanting is the process of transferring normal, healthy seedlings from the

nursery (or germination trays, germination pallets) to their permanent growing sites

(in the field or polybags). Seedlings deemed suitable for transplanting are as shown

in Picture below

Picture of suggested nursery

- Planting distance - Transplanting of seedlings

100cm

x x x x x x x x

x x x x x x x x

x x x x x x x x

x x x x x x x x

x x x x x x x x

Notes: x- experiment

of plants

PLOT A PLOT B

100cm

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Soil preparation

The pH of the soil should be between 6.0 and 6.5 and, if lower than this, a

liming material should be added during soil preparation.

Seed sowing and acclimatization

Site preparation

STEP BY STEP

Before transplanting

1. Prepare a soil mix of 3:2:1 (soil : organic matter: sand)

2. Obtain polybags according to the size( 30 x 45 cm)

3. fill polybags with soil mixture full

4. Water till wet

5. Label the polybags with s1- s20 for space seeds and g1-g20

for ground seeds

6. Water the soil in the polybags till wet

During transplanting

1. Select 20 healthy seedlings of each type

2. Make a hole at the centre of the polybags, deep enough to

cover the root-ball.

3. Remove seedlings from germination tray, keeping the root-

ball intact

4. Place the seedlings in the planting holes in an upright

position, firm up the base with surrounding soil

5. Water the newly transplanted plants until the soil is moist

but avoid leaving standing water .

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After transplanting

1. Look after your plants and replace them if they die, are

diseased or weak

2. Arrange polybag at 1 meter between rows and 1 meter

within rows.

Refer 3.2.3 (Planting distance)

3. Separate the plot area for space seedlings and ground

seedlings with a plastic barrier.

4. Start recording your data beginning from 14 days after

transplanting.

REMINDER:

Make sure all polybags are labeled correctly with suitable

waterproof tag according to samples.

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DATA RECORDING:

2 Morphological Characteristics a. Plant Height b. Stem Diameter c. Canopy Diameter

Stem Diameter

Instruction Menu

Measure the plant height, stem diameter and canopy diameter of

your plants weekly

CLICK to see how to take these measurements

(MARDI visuals of how to measure the plant height, stem

diameter and canopy diameter)

Record your measurements in the respective tables

Calculate the average

REMEMBER! Do not forget to key in your results every week.

Take photographs of your growing plants


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Plant height

Canopy

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A. Plant Height

Space Plants

Week Plant

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Average

29

Ground Plants:

Week Plant

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Average

30

B . Stem Diameter Space Plants:

Week Plant

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Average

31

Ground Plants:

Week Plant

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Average

32

C. Diameter of canopy Space Plants:

Week Plant

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Average

33

Ground Plants:

Week Plant

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Average

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3 Reproductive Characteristics

Instruction Menu

Look out for the appearance of the first flower

CLICK to see the difference between a flower and a bud

(MARDI - photo of a flower in full bloom amongst buds to show difference)

Record the DAT of the appearance of the first flower for Group A and Group B

Select a sample of 5 chilli plants from Group A and Group B on week 7

Count and record the total number of flowers on each plant in the table

CLICK to see a 7 week old flowering chilli plant

(MARDI - photo of a 7 week old flowering chilli plants)


Take photographs!


a

b

c

a. Flower bud

b. Flower full bloom

c. Fruit

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Appearance of first flower (full bloom) Space Plant Flower : DAT - _______________________ Ground Plant Flower : DAT - _______________________ Total number of flowers (for selected sample of 5 plants) on week 7

Sample Plant Space Plants Ground Plants

1

2

3

4

5

Average

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3.2.4 CROP MAINTENANCE

Crop maintenance activities are important operations in crops production. Organized

and well executed crop maintenance operations ensure good, healthy growth of

plants. Some important operations include watering, fertilizing, weeding and pest &

disease control.

STEP BY STEP:

1. Water your plants to keep soil in the polybags always moist..

Note: Do not overwater your plants

2. Spray weekly with foliar fertiliser. Spray at the whole plants

Note: Do not over fertilise your plants

3. Apply pesticides in accordance with recommended agronomic practices.

Note: Preparation and application of insecticide/pesticide to be done by

teachers.

4. Apply other pesticide if necessary.

5. Remove weeds manually. Can be done at any time as often as required

6. Tie up plants with strings to stakes driven about 15 cm into the ground. To

avoid plants from falling over

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Note : Participants must follow standard safety rules and regulations. In the event

that the uses of pesticides are required, Participants must comply with Pesticide Act

1974.

38

3.2.5 YIELD COMPONENTS

Crop yield can be categorize as biological yield (stems, branches, leaves and roots) and economic yield (fruits and seeds). For practical purposes, emphasis is placed upon the production of the economic yield components. BIOLOGICAL YIELD

a) Root

Root system is confined to the top 30 cm from the surface.

b) Stem

Chilli is a semi-hardwood herbaceous plant. The stem colour is green and it becomes woody as the plant matures. c) Branches

Branching is cincinnal, buds are opposite but only one develop alternately from each node. Secondary and tertiary branches bear most of the flowers and fruits.

d) Leaf

Leaves are simple and alternate, ovate in shape, green to dark green in colour on the upperside, and whitish green on the underside. Thickness of the leaves somewhat deter insects, thus reducing the chances for spread of diseases.

Fig.2: Leaf shape 1. Deltoid

2. Ovate

3. Lanceolate

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ECONOMIC YIELD

a) Flower

Flowers are formed terminally, singly. As in most modern chilli varieties, flowers are the pendant type, i.e. hanging downwards. The corolla is white in colour, with the pistil sticking out from the central axis and surrounded below by the stamens. Anthesis, or shedding of mature pollen grains occur around 45 days after planting.

Fig. 3: Flower

b) Fruit

The fruit of MC11 chilli is elongate in shape, surface slightly wrinkled, green when immature and turns red when ripened. It has a thin layer of wax. The high dry matter content helps it retain shape and colour relatively longer after fully ripened.

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Fig. 4: Chilli fruit

c) Seed

Chilli seeds are categorized as orthodox. They can be dried to a relatively low moisture content and kept at low temperatures without loss of viability. The seed is round (diameter around 4mm) and thin (about 0.7mm in thickness). A seed weighs approximately 4mg. The seed coat is thin and light yellow in colour, the endosperm fills up almost the entire space within the seed coat, embryo is globular.

Fig. 5: Chili seed size

41

STEP BY STEP FRUITS OF MY LABOUR

1. Measure fruits at Maturity Index 3

2. Measure and record the number of fruits per plant and the length of fruits

DATA RECORDING

1 YIELD CHARACTERISTICS a. Number of fruits b. Length of fruits

Picture Maturity index

a. Index 1

Not mature

Instruction Menu

Count the number of mature fruits on each plant on DAT 75 for all your space and ground

plants

CLICK to see a picture of a mature fruit at index 3 (when fruits are just beginning to turn

red)

(MARDI photos of chillies at maturity indices 1 5)


Select a sample of 5 chilli plants each from the Space Plants and Ground Plants

Measure and record the length of fruits on all the selected plants on DAT 75

CLICK to see how to measure the length of the fruit

(MARDI - photo of how to measure the length of a chilli fruit from the shoulder to the tip

of the fruit)

Tabulate your data

Take photographs!


42

b. Index 2

Mature

c. Index 3

Mature

d. Index 4

Mature

e. Index 5

Mature

43

Fruit length from shoulder to fruit tip

A. Number of fruits per plant (once on last day)

Group Plant

Space Plants Ground Plants

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Average

Shoulder

Tip

44

B. Average length of fruit

(once on last day for selected sample of 5 plants)

Sample Plant Space Plants Ground Plants

1

2

3

4

5

Average

45

3.3 REPORT WRITING

The school has to come up with a report writing. The research proposal should consist of the

following:

PROBLEM STATEMENT / RESEARCH QUESTION

LITERATURE REVIEW

AIM

HYPOTHESIS

VARIABLES

Manipulated

Responding

Constant:

APPARATUS & MATERIALS

PROCEDURE

DATA COLLECTION AND PRESENTATION

Tables Graphs

Charts Pictures Photos others

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION

EXTENSION / FUTURE INOVATION

REFERENCE

46

APPENDIX 1 : INFORMATION ABOUT MICROGRAVITY

WHAT IS MICROGRAVITY?

Microgravity, also called weightlessness or zero gravity, is the absence of

gravity. It is best illustrated by astronauts floating in their spacecraft. They are

floating because they are in a microgravity environment. Besides astronauts,

many people experience microgravity every day by riding roller coasters or

jumping off diving boards. It is the "free fall" period of these activities when the

microgravity occurs and of course only lasts for a short period of time.

Gravity cannot simply be eliminated, but its effects can be compensated with the

help of an appropriate acceleration force. The acceleration force must have exactly

th same absolute value as the gravity force and it must point into the opposite

direction of local gravity vector. The resulting equilibrium of forces is called

weightlessness. In practice, however, an exact equilibrium state is difficult to

obtain and a very small gravity force is always remaining. Specialists therefore speak

of microgravity rather than weightlessness. Under microgravity conditions, various

fundamental physical phenomenon are significantly altered or even fully removed.

WHY MICROGRAVITY?

Microgravity can be used as a special tool for a better understanding of

fundamental questions and for the solution of problems on Earth. This allows to

improve and to optimize physical, chemical and biological processes on Earth

that are important in science, medicine, engineering and technology for all of

us. Although these studies began with a purely scientific interest, results from

basic research can lead to practical applications with a major industrial and

economic impact, as was the case for the development of semiconductors.

The absence of gravitational effects in a microgravity environment means, for

example, that temperature differences in a fluid do not produce convection,

47

buoyancy or sedimentation. The physical picture is thus simplified and

underlying processes can be more readily observed and analysed. The changes

in fluid behaviour in microgravity lie at the heart of the studies in materials

science, combustion and many aspects of space biology and life sciences.

Microgravity research holds the promise to develop and eventually manufacture

new materials which can not be made on Earth due to gravity. These new

materials shall have properties that are superior to those made on Earth and

hence be far more valuable. One of the most promising new areas for the

commercialization of space is in the field of microgravity.

A new method to develop a new advance material. These new materials

can be used e.g. to speed up future computers, reduce pollution,

improve fiber optics, and enable medical breakthroughs to cure

diseases;

Microgravity allows further understanding about environment and

nature;

One of the methods to demonstrate fundamental knowledge/ basic

phenomena for educational purposes (e.g. Newton laws, surface tension

etc.)

48

INFORMATION ON INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (ISS)

The International Space Station (ISS) is a manned research facility that is being

assembled while in orbit around the earth. It is a joint project between five space

agencies, those of the United States, Russia, Japan, Canada and the European Space

Agency (ESA). In some ways, the ISS represent a unification of previously planned

independent space stations: Russias MIR 2, the US Space Station Freedom and the

Planned European Columbus and Japanese Experiment Module.

The ISS is located in orbit around the Earth at an altitude of approximately 220 miles

(360 km), a type of orbit known as low Earth orbit. It orbits Earth in about 92

minutes.

The International Space Station marks its 10th anniversary of continuous human

occupation on November 2, 2010. Since Expedition 1, which was launched on

October 31, 2000, and docked on November 2, the space station has been visited by

196 individuals from eight different countries. As of the November 2010 anniversary

date there have been 103 launches to the space station: 67 Russian vehicles, 34

space shuttles, one European and one Japanese vehicle. A total of 150 spacewalks

have been conducted in support of space station assembly totalling more than 944

hours.

The space station, including its large solar panels, spans the area of a U.S. football

field, including the end zones, and weighs 827,794 pounds. The complex now has

more liveable room than a conventional five-bedroom house, and has two

bathrooms and a gymnasium.

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International Space Station Size & Mass

Module Length: 167.3 feet (51 meters) Truss Length: 357.5 feet (109 meters) Solar Array Length: 239.4 feet (73 meters) Mass: 816,349 lb (370,290 kilograms) Habitable Volume: 12,705 cubic feet (360 cubic meters) Pressurized Volume: 29,561 cubic feet (837 cubic meters) Power Generation: 8 solar arrays = 84 kilowatts Lines of Computer Code: approximately 2.3 million

50

INFORMATION ON KIBO MODULE AT ISS

The Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" is Japan's first manned experiment facility,

and it is the largest experiment module on the International Space Station (ISS.)

The Kibo consists of two experiment facilities, the Pressurized Module (PM) and

the Exposed Facility (EF.) The PM is 11.2 meters long and 4.4 meters in diameter,

and the inside atmospheric pressure is maintained to 1 atm. Astronauts can move

around between the PM and other ISS modules in their plain clothes. Scientific

experiments using the microgravity environment and cosmic radiation are being

carried out on the experiment racks in the PM. The EF is directly exposed to space,

and it is a unique facility among ISS laboratories as it enables long-term experiments

in open space as well as Earth and astronomical observations. The PM is equipped

with an airlock, thus we can move an experiment device directly from the PM to the

EF, and vice-versa, through the airlock by manipulating the Kibo's robotic arm

(JEMRMS). Kibo's docking and assembly operations have been completed as the

Pressurized Module was assembled in June 2008, and the Exposed Facility in July

2009.

52

INFORMATION ABOUT JAXA H-II TRANSFER VEHICLE (HTV):

"KOUNOTORI2"

The H-II Transfer Vehicle is an orbital transfer vehicle designed to transport cargo to

International Space Station (ISS) using the Japanese H-IIA rocket. The HTV will

approach the International Space Station to be captured by the ISS manipulator arm

to be berthed to a lock. The HTV is planned to be outfitted with two types of

logistics carriers.

The HTV has 2 types of logistics carrier. One is a mixed (pressurized &

unpressurized) carrier and the other is a pressurized carrier. The cutaway illustration

shows the mixed carrier which can carry up to 8 ISPRs (International Standard

Payload Racks) in pressurized section, and up to 3 EFPLs (Exposed Facility Payloads)

on exposed pallet in the unpressurized section. The pressurized section has air

conditioning ducts and lights to create the same environment for crew activities as

other pressurized modules of Space Station. The unpressurized section of the HTV

has an exposed pallet for cargo handling by the ISS manipulator arm.

53

INFORMATION ON SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR

Endeavour was NASA's fifth and final space shuttle orbiter to join the fleet at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Endeavour also is known inside the space agency by its designation Orbiter Vehicle-105, or OV-105. Construction of Endeavour began on Sept. 28, 1987, and it rolled out of the assembly plant in Palmdale, Calif., on April 1991. For the first time, a national competition involving students in elementary and secondary schools produced the name of the new orbiter. After receiving 6,154 entries, representing more than 70,000 students, NASA chose Endeavour and it was announced by President George Bush in 1989. The name comes from a ship chartered to traverse the South Pacific in 1768 and captained by 18th century British explorer James Cook, an experienced seaman, navigator and amateur astronomer. Endeavour first launched May 7, 1992, on the STS-49 mission to capture the INTELSAT VI communications satellite and re-release it into a geosynchronous orbit. In 1993, Endeavour embarked on STS-61, the first servicing mission to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Endeavour is targeted to liftoff on its final mission, STS-134, on April 19, 2011. It will be the second space shuttle retired from NASA's fleet.

KEY ENDEAVOUR MISSIONS STS-49 Maiden Flight; Capture and redeploy Intelsat VI STS-47 Spacelab mission J STS-54 Deploy TDRS-F STS-57 Retrieve European Retrievable Carrier STS-61 First Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission STS-72 Retrieve Japanese Space Flyer Unit STS-89 Rendezvous with Mir space station STS-88 International Space Station assembly mission, which assembled the Unity

module, the first U.S. component of the station STS-100 International Space Station assembly mission, which delivered the Canadarm2 robotic arm and hand STS-123 International Space Station assembly mission, which delivered the first element of Japan's Kibo module along with the Canadian Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator robotic arm (Dextre)

54

THE NUMBERS (Prior to STS-134)

Total miles traveled: 116,372,930 Total time in space: 283 Total orbits: 4,423 Total flights: 24 Total crew members: 167 Mir dockings: 1 International Space Station visits: 11

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