In 1996, NASA sponsored Stoner’s research for a natural liquid biocontrol, known then as ODC (organic disease control), that activates plants of grow without the need for pesticides as a means to control pathogens in a closed-loop culture system.
By 1997, Stoner’s biocontrol experiments were conducted by NASA. BioServe Space Technologies’s GAP technology (miniature growth chambers) delivered the ODC solution unto bean seeds. Triplicate ODC experiments were conducted in GAP’s flown to the MIR by the shuttle space ; at the Kennedy Space Center; and at Colorado State University (J. Linden). All GAPS were housed in total darkness to eliminate light as an experiment variable.
NASA experiment was to study only the benefits of the biocontrol.NASA results confirmed that ODC elicited natural plant disease mechanisms when in sprouted beans. ODC now is a standard for pesticide-free aeroponic growing. Soil and hydroponics growers can benefit by incorporating ODC into their planting techniques.
Biocontrols in Space
6:41 AM
ThanateTan
