Ion-Exchanged Clinoptilolite as a Substrate for Space Farming

Yuri Kalvachev, Ermenegilda Vitale, Carmen Arena, Totka Todorova, Daniel Ilkov and Violeta Velikova ()
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Yuri Kalvachev: Institute of Catalysis, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, “Acad. G. Bonchev” Str., bl. 11, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Ermenegilda Vitale: Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
Carmen Arena: Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
Totka Todorova: Institute of Catalysis, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, “Acad. G. Bonchev” Str., bl. 11, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Daniel Ilkov: Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 21, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Violeta Velikova: Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 21, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 3, 1-16

Abstract: Clinoptilolite, with its structural peculiarities (ion-exchange and adsorbent properties), is an excellent candidate for direct use and various modifications. In this study, we explored the effect of ion exchange and the particle size of clinoptilolite on Raphanus sativus seed germination, plant growth, physiological and biochemical characteristics of plants. Plants were grown, for three consecutive runs, on non-modified clinoptilolite, 0.9–2.5 mm (C-2.5) and 2.5–5.0 mm (C-5.0); clinoptilolite fractions modified with ion exchange with ammonium (C NH4 -2.5 and C NH4 -5.0); and potassium (C K -2.5 and C K -5.0) ions. Our data revealed that ion exchange with ammonium increased water-holding capacity, while potassium exchange decreased the water-holding capacity of the substrates irrespective of their particle size. The positive effect of small fractions ion-exchanged clinoptilolite (C NH4 -2.5 and C K -2.5) on seed germination, during the third run, was established. The small clinoptilolite fractions favored root crop production, particularly in C K -2.5 plants only during the first run. Substantial positive effect on the content of total carbohydrates and polyphenols especially during the third run was established in plants grown on potassium-exchanged clinoptilolite. Our findings support the future exploration of clinoptilolite as a suitable substrate for plant growth in space and ground-based facilities for space-oriented experiments.

Keywords: natural zeolites; charge-compensating cations; growth medium; seed germination; plant development; physiological and biochemical response (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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