ABSTRACT
The ever increasing population of the earth as well as the advent of space exploration has necessitated the study of plant life in extraterrestrial environments, particularly under the conditions of microgravity. Plant development is impeded by microgravity, so it's critical to assess how much plant growth stimulators can reverse or even accelerate this trend. This project aims to advance knowledge of plant growth in space and the possibility of supporting life beyond Earth by examining the germination response of maize (Zea Mays) seeds when subjected to microgravity. This study examines the effects of microgravity on a variety of germination parameters, including germination percentage, time of first germination, seedling vigor, wet and dry weight, and germination time. A total of 40 maize seeds were weighed and soaked for 90 minutes in 20ml of plant growth stimulators, indole acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA), and ascorbate (AA). Then placed sideways in petri dishes holding a cooled agar. They were clinorotated at different rates (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 rpm), while the control seeds were just placed on a balanced table. The study found that under microgravity, the germination percentage of maize seeds decreased as the clinorotation rates increased at 72 hours, compared to the control group. However, when treated with indole acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA), and ascorbate (AA), the germination percentage improved even in microgravity. Additionally, seedling dry weight, germination time, and other parameters also showed improvements. While all three growth stimulators were effective in enhancing germination percentage under microgravity, IAA particularly enhanced seedling vigor, while GA had a greater impact on the germination rate. Overall, the research confirmed the potential for enhancing maize seed germination under space exploration conditions
