Suitability of Solanum lycopersicum L. 'Microtom' for growth in Bioregenerative Life Support Systems: exploring the effect of high-LET ionising radiation on photosynthesis, leaf structure and fruit traits

The realisation of manned space exploration requires the development of Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS). In such self-sufficient closed habitats, higher plants have a fundamental role in air regeneration, water recovery, food production and waste recycling. In the space environment, ionising radiation represents one of the main constraints to plant growth. In this study, we explore whether low doses of heavy ions, namely Ca 25 Gy, delivered at the seed stage, may induce positive outcomes on growth and functional traits in plants of Solanum lycopersicum L. 'Microtom'. After irradiation of seed, plant growth was monitored during the whole plant life cycle, from germination to fruit ripening. Morphological parameters, photosynthetic efficiency, leaf anatomical functional traits and antioxidant production in leaves and fruits were analysed. Our data demonstrate that irradiation of seeds with 25 Gy Ca ions does not prevent achievement of the seed-to-seed cycle in 'Microtom', and induces a more compact plant size compared to the control. Plants germinated from irradiated seeds show better photochemical efficiency than controls, likely due to the higher amount of D1 protein and photosynthetic pigment content. Leaves of these plants also had smaller cells with a lower number of chloroplasts. The dose of 25 Gy Ca ions is also responsible for positive outcomes in fruits: although developing a lower number of berries, plants germinated from irradiated seeds produce larger berries, richer in carotenoids, ascorbic acid and anthocyanins than controls. These specific traits may be useful for 'Microtom' cultivation in BLSS in space, in so far as the crew members could benefit from fresh food richer in functional compounds that can be directly produced on board.