Growth protocols for etiolated soybeans germinated within BRIC-60 canisters under spaceflight conditions

As part of the GENEX ( Gen e Ex pression) spaceflight experiment, protocols were developed to optimize the inflight germination and subsequent growth of 192 soybean ( Glycine max cv McCall) seeds during STS-87. We describe a method which provided uniform growth and development of etiolated seedlings while eliminating root and shoot restrictions for short-term (4–7 day) experiments. Final seedling growth morphologies and the gaseous CO 2 and ethylene levels present both on the last day in space and at the time of recovery within the spaceflight and ground control BRIC-60 canisters are presented.