Genetically Modified Cotton Grows Better In Space Than On Earth
Research by a team from University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) has revealed that cotton, especially the genetically modified variety, grew better in space than on earth.
Researchers leveraged microgravity to pinpoint new genetic avenues that may unlock future sustainable, resilient crops.
However, the research team is in the process of unveiling the mystery behind why growing cotton seems to thrive in space.
Plants typically struggle to thrive in harsh space environments. Decoding these findings could lead to the production of more resilient crops that withstand stressful conditions on earth and during space missions.
The research team utilised the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory to study cotton’s response to microgravity and stress in space.
To begin with, the researchers compared how ordinary cotton and cotton genetically modified to withstand drought grew in space.
