Comparisons of the Effects of Vibration of Two Centrifugal Systems on the Growth and Morphological Parameters of the Moss Physcomitrella patens

Abstract

As pioneer plants mosses are adaptable to extreme environments and are the first to colonize previously uncolonized land. Recently, we designed two centrifuges, MIJ-17 and MK-3, to investigate the effects of long-term cultivation under moderate hypergravity conditions on the growth of mosses. We examined the effects of the vibration generated by these centrifuges on the growth and morphological parameters of the moss Physcomitrella patens, because plants are generally sensitive to vibration. In MIJ-17, random vibration was detected by a micro three-axis acceleration sensor during centrifugation at 2, 5, and 10 G, whereas vibration was negligible in MK-3. Therefore, we compared the growth and morphological parameters of P. patens gametophores cultivated with MIJ-17 and MK-3 at 10 G. The vibration generated by MIJ-17 did not significantly affect the growth and morphological parameters of P. patens gametophores. Thus, we conclude that the vibration of MIJ-17 has a negligible impact on the growth of P. patens gametophores.