| OCR Text |
Show 8C Lakeside Review, Wednesday, October 2, 1985 Wheat on the Moon? Dont Scoff Yet Wheat might prove to be the staff of life in an orbiting space station and on the moon, say Utah State University research- ers. and lunar wheat farms appear to be feasible if a few biological and engineering problems can be solved, says Frank Salisbury, USU plant Space-statio- n The four-yequest for the best space crop is also providing valuable clues about how wheat yields ar might be increased on Earth. In addition to producing food for lun nar or inhabitants, wheat plants would use carbon dioxide and add oxygen to the atmosphere, recycle many waste products and help purify water. Salisbury and research associate Bruce G. Bugbee say the remaining problems concerning space wheat farms appear to be solvable. The biggest problem may be providing energy for artispace-statio- Utah Agricultural manufactured on the moon. By Earth standards, the cost of wheat grown in space or on the moon will be astronomical, but Salisbury says there are other factors to consider than simply the price per bushel. Growing wheat probably will still be less expensive than importing it from earth. . The farms should also provide astronauts and lunar residents with a sense of security. Although several crops would be grown on these unusual farms, wheat has several advantages because its leaves are positioned to absorb high levels of solar energy, it grows well under continuous light and it can be processed in says. several ways to supply carbohyModifying the photoperiod or drates and protein. minerals in the hydrophonic soluSo far, the researchers have tion may further increase yields. about 600 wheat cultivars, tested It now appears that a lunar farm some being developed including about the size of a football field USU agronomists Rulon S. could easily support 100 people. by Albrechtson and Wade G. Dewey Depending on the degree of auto- that will thrive under continuous mation, such a farm would relight and big levels of carbon diquire three to 10 workers. oxide. Dwarf cultivars less than a Most of the materials, includfoot tall produce the highest proing water, carbon dioxide, and portion if edible material, alminerals for the first lunar farms though the researchers are trying will have to be imported from to increase grain yields from Earth. The first farms might be these varieties. Some researchers had thought relatively small, modules until units can be it would be difficult to duplicate Experiment Station and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Salisbury stresses NASA has no plans to colonize the moon or any other planet, although rapid progress has been made on a system for a spacecraft. So far, yields in Salisburys prototype space farms growth chambers and greenhouses in which almost all aspects of the environment are carefully controlled and monitored are twice the record yields achieved on Earth, and are achieved in half the number of days. We should be able to do much, much better, Salisbutry self-contain- ed GGXU GDCeBSJUG sunlight, but plants have produced normal grain under light sodium from high-pressu- re lamps. Salisbury says they have also found that plants use much more sunlight in photosynthesis than had been expected. A considerable amount of energy would be required to operate a farm using only artificial light. Solar cells, which ultimately convert about 5 percent of the energy from sunlight to light, might not be practical. However, it might be possible to use collectors to track and focus sunlight on plants during the lunar day. ' To increase the efficiency of light absorption, the researchers originally considered a system that moved plants farther apart as they matured. It now appears to be more practical to select cultivars that have few tillers. These cultivars will produce full canopies without overcrowding plants. A farm on the moon has several advantages over one in an orbiting space station where weightlessness might upset plants g delicate system. A space station in low Earth orbit would experience about 60 minutes of sunlight and 30 minutes of darkness, which could harm plants. On the moon, theres a 29.5-da- y lightdark cycle.3 s L si EVERYTHING IN THE STORE EVERY CAY ? OVER 5,000,000 IN INVENTORY BETTEH VOLUME BUYING SELECTION I PRICES SUPER SPECIAL I G.P. Tuff-Gla- ss Cash & SHINGLES 3 fab Limited Warranty S 1 Q M, Jr Carrv 79 Roof Top Delivery Available ...All... LULU ft 5 - gravity-sensin- ficial lights. The reasearch is funded by the Tax Benefits Available to All Citizens It does not always take a change in the tax law for people to legally minimize their federal taxes. Current law contains a number of deductions and credits for those who engage in certain financial or other activities. Contrary to popular misconception these tax benefits are available to all taxpayers, according to the Internal Revenue Service. The key to minimizing federal taxes lies in careful tax planning. The IRS offers the following tax planning ideas. IRA contributions not only increase savings but also result in a tax deduction of up to $2,000 per working taxpayer. Energy conservation expenditures on your residence will reduce your energy costs as well as provide a tax credit. Educational expenses incurred in connection with enhancing your current job skills have not only the educational value but may be deductable. Timing the purchase or sale of capital investments such as stocks can minimize taxes if the tax implication short-ter- m J few s . for and at NOW 20 ALL Navy Petty Officer Reports For Duty NURSERY STOCK NOW ON SALE 20 to 70W home-porte- TREES SHRUBS BUSHES Vr ;i BRIGHT COLORED STOCK UP NOV CARDEN ON CHRYSANTHEMUMS FERTILIZER for FALL & SPRING 40 IN 4 POTS 1968. LAYTON Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Reynold B. Allen, son of Helen R. Allen of 2875 N. Hillfield Road, Layton, has been promoted to his present rank while serving aboard the fleet ballistic missile submarine d USS Henry L. Stimson, in Charleston, SC. tj ty? Bulbs for Fall Planting 80 topics. Gets Promotion P la WE OFFER YOU THESE GREAT BUYS Moving expenses may qualify for a tax deduction. To assist with tax planning, the IRS offers publications on over ing with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, CA. MAJOR MANUFACTURERS ANSWER series. Polluting Units are New These Low among the first to Pass Oregons stringent DEQ standards lor woodbuming appliances. GREG'S gain tax implication also. If you are over 55, up to $125,000 of such a gain may qualify for exclusion from taxes. ROY Marine Staff Sgt. Timothy J. Doyle, son of Margaret V. and Daniel J. Doyle Jr. of 5085 S. 2700 W., Roy, has been promoted to his present rank while serv- ' Choose From BLAZE KING PT LIST $618 50 of a home has a capital Marine Promoted "' 41'V? W' See LOPIS ititJnfitoi con- LAYTON Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Gene E. Schurr, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Schurr of 261 Lakeview Drive, Layton, recently reported for duty with the battleship Precommissioning Unit Missouri, based at Long Beach, Calif. A 1965 and a 1967 graduate of Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio with a bachelor of arts and a master of arts degree respectively. he joined the Navy in March "glhMyVW SALE sidered. Sale 3 You'll find the pet you want in today's Classified section. of long or gains or losses is X ,N55t ENJOY BEAUTIFUL COLOR UP TO SNOWTIME and THEN IN EARLY SPRINC-WHEALL ELSE IS BROWN PANSIES IN BUD & BLOOM OFF FOREST MULCH 2 Cu. FeetJReg. $3.98 2.5 Cu. Feet Reg. $4.98 BARK 3 cu. feet Reg. $4.98 . CREAT FOR FALL PLANTING WILL LIVE THRU WINTER NOW PLANT GROUND COVER NOW JENNY AJUCA and MORE REG $12.98 FLAT NOW $098 GREG'S GARDEN CENTER 31 5 Wo. Main, Kaysuille 9 AHMff P.M. .V i, , |
