Estimation of the stability of the photosynthetic unit in the bioregenerative life support system with plant wastes included in mass exchange

The purpose of this study is to estimate the possible effect produced on plant productivity by inedible plant biomass added to soil-like substrate (SLS). Results of the experiments with radish plants grown on the SLS with inedible biomass of carrot and beet plants added in the amounts roughly equal to their yields harvested from the same area showed a significant reduction in productivity of radish plants. The yield of radish plants grown on the SLS with added radish tops was almost the same as the yield of the radish grown on the neutral substrate. Experiments with addition of dry wheat straw to the SLS and growing of wheat and radish plants on that substrate also showed that the productivity of the plants grown in that way was decreased. Attempts to negate the adverse effect of plant wastes proved that the most effective way was to mineralize the wastes using the technique of “wet incineration”.