Open Access

Japanese Oblate Film as a Novel Method for Seed Handling and Activation in Microgravity

Gilbert Cauthorn

Gilbert Cauthorn

University of North Dakota, Department of Space Studies
Search for this author on
Sciendo|Google Scholar
Cauthorn, Gilbert
, 
Keith Crisman

Keith Crisman

University of North Dakota, Department of Space Studies
Search for this author on
Sciendo|Google Scholar
Crisman, Keith
, 
Haley O. Boles

Haley O. Boles

University of North Dakota, Department of Space Studies
Search for this author on
Sciendo|Google Scholar
Boles, Haley O.
, 
Christina M. Johnson

Christina M. Johnson

KBRTitusville, USA
Search for this author on
Sciendo|Google Scholar
Johnson, Christina M.
, 
Aswati Subramanian

Aswati Subramanian

Simpson College
Search for this author on
Sciendo|Google Scholar
Subramanian, Aswati
, 
Richard Barker

Richard Barker

Purdue University
Search for this author on
Sciendo|Google Scholar
Barker, Richard
, 
Emma Cuthbert

Emma Cuthbert

Osaka Prefecture Suito Kokusai Senior School Astrobotany Research ProgramJapan
Search for this author on
Sciendo|Google Scholar
Cuthbert, Emma
, 
Mao Yamada

Mao Yamada

Osaka Prefecture Suito Kokusai Senior School Astrobotany Research ProgramJapan
Search for this author on
Sciendo|Google Scholar
Yamada, Mao
, 
Yui Sato

Yui Sato

Osaka Prefecture Suito Kokusai Senior School Astrobotany Research ProgramJapan
Search for this author on
Sciendo|Google Scholar
Sato, Yui
, 
Hachi Chisuga

Hachi Chisuga

Osaka Prefecture Suito Kokusai Senior School Astrobotany Research ProgramJapan
Search for this author on
Sciendo|Google Scholar
Chisuga, Hachi
, 
Sakura Fukuoka

Sakura Fukuoka

Osaka Prefecture Suito Kokusai Senior School Astrobotany Research ProgramJapan
Search for this author on
Sciendo|Google Scholar
Fukuoka, Sakura
, 
Serika Kagami

Serika Kagami

Osaka Prefecture Suito Kokusai Senior School Astrobotany Research ProgramJapan
Search for this author on
Sciendo|Google Scholar
Kagami, Serika
, 
Chihiro Tada

Chihiro Tada

Osaka Prefecture Suito Kokusai Senior School Astrobotany Research ProgramJapan
Search for this author on
Sciendo|Google Scholar
Tada, Chihiro
, 
Seohee Park

Seohee Park

Osaka Prefecture Suito Kokusai Senior School Astrobotany Research ProgramJapan
Search for this author on
Sciendo|Google Scholar
Park, Seohee
, 
Kurumi Kunihiro

Kurumi Kunihiro

Osaka Prefecture Suito Kokusai Senior School Astrobotany Research ProgramJapan
Search for this author on
Sciendo|Google Scholar
Kunihiro, Kurumi
, 
Kosei Mitsukawa

Kosei Mitsukawa

Osaka Prefecture Suito Kokusai Senior School Astrobotany Research ProgramJapan
Search for this author on
Sciendo|Google Scholar
Mitsukawa, Kosei
, 
Asako Ueki

Asako Ueki

Osaka Prefecture Suito Kokusai Senior School Astrobotany Research ProgramJapan
Search for this author on
Sciendo|Google Scholar
Ueki, Asako
, 
Sana Nozawa

Sana Nozawa

Osaka Prefecture Suito Kokusai Senior School Astrobotany Research ProgramJapan
Search for this author on
Sciendo|Google Scholar
Nozawa, Sana
 and 
Gokce Delioglu

Gokce Delioglu

Osaka Prefecture Suito Kokusai Senior School Astrobotany Research ProgramJapan
Search for this author on
Sciendo|Google Scholar
Delioglu, Gokce
  
Apr 16, 2025
Japanese Oblate Film as a Novel Method for Seed Handling and Activation in Microgravity's Cover Image
About this article
Previous Article
Next Article
Cite
Download Cover
Article Category: Research Note
Published Online: Apr 16, 2025
Page range: 30 - 38
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/gsr-2025-0002
Keywords
© 2025 Gilbert Cauthorn et al., published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Figure 1.

Examples of successful Japanese cherry red radish microgreen germination at Day After Planting (DAP) 7. (A) Post-experiment specimens grown using the oblate film method, showing successful germination and early development. (B) Close-up of healthy microgreens cultivated using the oblate film method.
Examples of successful Japanese cherry red radish microgreen germination at Day After Planting (DAP) 7. (A) Post-experiment specimens grown using the oblate film method, showing successful germination and early development. (B) Close-up of healthy microgreens cultivated using the oblate film method.

Figure 2.

Oblate Film Seed Arrangement. (A) Oblate film arranged with 25 seeds in a uniform grid formation, showcasing its lightweight and flexible properties before placement on agar media. (B) Seeds adhered to the oblate film after placement, demonstrating secure adhesion
Oblate Film Seed Arrangement. (A) Oblate film arranged with 25 seeds in a uniform grid formation, showcasing its lightweight and flexible properties before placement on agar media. (B) Seeds adhered to the oblate film after placement, demonstrating secure adhesion

Figure 3.

Seed Arrangement and Film Interaction with Agar Media. (A) Seeds arranged in a grid formation directly placed on the surface of the agar media. (B) Oblate film with adhered seeds upon contact with the agar media; the film adheres fully to the agar due to moisture, beginning to dissolve and ensuring the seeds establish direct contact with the moisture for germination.
Seed Arrangement and Film Interaction with Agar Media. (A) Seeds arranged in a grid formation directly placed on the surface of the agar media. (B) Oblate film with adhered seeds upon contact with the agar media; the film adheres fully to the agar due to moisture, beginning to dissolve and ensuring the seeds establish direct contact with the moisture for germination.

Figure 4.

(A) Oblate film with seeds positioned on the agar media, shown prior to sealing the plates and placing them in the growth chamber. (B) View of multiple plates arranged within the growth chamber under controlled environmental conditions for the germination study.
(A) Oblate film with seeds positioned on the agar media, shown prior to sealing the plates and placing them in the growth chamber. (B) View of multiple plates arranged within the growth chamber under controlled environmental conditions for the germination study.

Figure 5.

Average Germination Percentage Comparison Between Control and Oblate Film. Bar chart illustrating the average germination percentages for Days After Planting (DAP) 1 and DAP 7. Data compare germination rates between seeds in the control group and seeds adhered to the oblate film. Error bars indicate standard deviation.
Average Germination Percentage Comparison Between Control and Oblate Film. Bar chart illustrating the average germination percentages for Days After Planting (DAP) 1 and DAP 7. Data compare germination rates between seeds in the control group and seeds adhered to the oblate film. Error bars indicate standard deviation.

Figure 6.

(A) Example of a control plate on Day After Planting (DAP) 7, showing seed germination without the use of oblate film. (B) Example of a plate with oblate film on DAP 7, illustrating germination outcomes with seeds adhered to the dissolvable film.
(A) Example of a control plate on Day After Planting (DAP) 7, showing seed germination without the use of oblate film. (B) Example of a plate with oblate film on DAP 7, illustrating germination outcomes with seeds adhered to the dissolvable film.

Figure 7.

Seed encapsulated within oblate film, forming a seed pocket for optimized handling and germination. In the background, a mature cherry red radish plant grown from these seed pockets during preliminary testing is displayed, demonstrating the effectiveness of the encapsulation method.
Seed encapsulated within oblate film, forming a seed pocket for optimized handling and germination. In the background, a mature cherry red radish plant grown from these seed pockets during preliminary testing is displayed, demonstrating the effectiveness of the encapsulation method.

Results of statistical comparisons for germination rates between control and experimental (oblate film) groups on Day After Planting DAP 1 and DAP 7_

Time Point Degrees of Freedom (df) t-Test Statistic (t) p-value (p)
DAP 1 72 10.78 p < 0.001
DAP 7 72 6.33 p < 0.001

Summary of germination percentages and variability for control and experimental (oblate film) groups on Day After Planting (DAP) 1 and DAP 7_

DAP N Seed Total Mean Germination % Control Mean Germination % Oblate Film Control St. Dev Oblate Film St. Dev
DAP 1 37 925 6.5 ± 2.01 68.8 ± 3.20 12.2 19.5
DAP 7 37 925 68.6 ± 2.24 87.3 ± 1.89 13.6 11.5
Language:
English
Publication timeframe:
2 times per year
Journal Subjects:
Life Sciences, Life Sciences, other, Materials Sciences, Materials Sciences, other, Physics, Physics, other
Journal RSS Feed