If humankind is ever to undertake long-term space missions and colonization, establishing an efficient space farming system would be essential for human survival in space. However, existing crops are not sufficiently cost effective and productive for use on space farms. Hence, we propose a Whole-Body Edible and Elite Plant (WBEEP) strategy for space crop improvement. Relying on plant biotechnology, the WBEEP strategy aims to develop crops with more edible parts, richer nutrient content, higher yields, and higher mineral nutrient use efficiencies for space farms.
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is believed to be one of the top contenders for space agriculture.
Considering the insufficient content of proteins, phytonutrients, vitamins, and other essential nutrients in potato tubers, it would be necessary to biofortify potatoes to fully meet the nutrient needs of the human body. Plants can be improved to synthesize vitamins and functional secondary metabolites by modifying endogenous metabolic pathways.
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As more anti-nutritional factor biosynthesis mechanisms are revealed, and strategies for improving nutrition, yield, and fertilizer use efficiency are developed, the WBEEP approach could be implemented on more crops.
