While the bumblebee Bombus impatiens is doing a great job on North American soil, some will journeying in another direction. NASA is conducting scientific research using Bombus impatiens to contribute to food supply in space.
As well as providing nourishment on earth, plants could provide a balanced diet on the Moon or Mars.
Environmental and atmospheric conditions differ there, compared to here on earth, so growing fruit and vegetables is not likely to be easy. Although spacemen opt for space food, research suggests that several fruit and vegetable species, like tomatoes and melons, might grow under reduced pressure.
NATURAL POLLINATORS
For successful production, natural pollinators will be required and that is where our bumblebees come into play – or rather into space.
With research central to Biobest’s ethos, Biobest Canada jumped at the opportunity to provide NASA with bumblebees for this revolutionary research. This work has already proved that our little creatures continue to do a good job under conditions of reduced pressure – one of the difficulties they will encounter in space.
While the early signs are encouraging, there is still plenty more research to come.
For the moment, you won’t find yourself spotting bumblebees with your stargazer, but who knows what the future will bring.
Yuri Gagarin might have been the first man is space, but Biobest is confident its bumblebees will be the first to fly into space.
Biobest part of the latest buzz on space travel
June 28, 2017 – Biobest bumblebees are on track to become the first in space!
Subscription Centre
New Subscription Already a Subscriber Customer Service View Digital Magazine RenewMost Popular
-
Global applicants called for Dutch cannabis classA new two-week intensive cannabis production course has just been…
-
Canadian packaging recognized in BerlinA Canadian food-service and packaging company took home the bronze…
-
Mobile app lends support to foreign workersThere’s a new mobile app for international farm workers in…
-
BC cannabis growers excluded from carbon tax reliefGreenhouse carbon tax relief grant applications are now being accepted…
Latest Events
|
Midwest Green Industry Experience – Training DaysTue Mar 05, 2019 |
|
Midwest Green Industry Experience – Training DaysThu Mar 07, 2019 |
|
Canada BloomsFri Mar 08, 2019 |
|
CHC AGMWed Mar 13, 2019 @ 8:00am - 05:00pm |
|
China International Floriculture & Horticulture Trade FairSun Mar 17, 2019 |
