Plant growth in microgravity and defined magnetic field

Investigating seedling germination, plant growth and flowering in simulated microgravity conditions in a clinostat is not only of academic interest, but also a highly important issue for long-term space missions. Another factor influencing plant growth and flowering, from that point of view, is the earth magnetic field which cannot be switched off simply, either, but is thus less often investigated. Here we give an overview of recent technologies and findings related to the influence of gravity - or its real or simulated absence - and magnetic fields on germination, growth and flowering of typical model plants like Arabidopsis thaliana and more space-travel related plants useful for feeding astronauts. In addition, we suggest a novel combined system to investigate plants in combinations of microgravity and freely definable magnetic fields.