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Effects of Ultrasound on Plant Gravitropism under Simulated Microgravity

CSEF · 2026 Plant Biology (Senior Division)

Jolina Jian

Overview

In space, studies show that microgravity disrupts plant gravitropism by affecting statolith sedimentation, leading to abnormal root and shoot growth. This limits sustainable food production for long-term space missions. Under simulated microgravity, it is hypothesized that ultrasound exposure would increase Garden Cress growth and influence root and shoot orientation compared to unexposed controls. To simulate microgravity, a two-axis clinostat was constructed. The seeds were divided into three groups: normal gravity control, simulated microgravity control, and simulated microgravity with ultrasound exposure (100 kHz). Each group contained eight seeds spaced two centimeters apart and was grown in MS agar medium for three days. Images were collected using a smartphone camera and a high-resolution flatbed scanner, and analyzed in ImageJ to measure shoot and root length and growth angle. At 4 cm from the source, mean root length increased to 29.02 mm (+64% vs. microgravity control) and shoot length to 21.88 mm (+73.9%), with both results being statistically significant (ANOVA, p < 0.05). Ultrasound also influenced root orientation, producing mostly uniform horizontal growth (~90°) with low variability, while roots farther from the source or in microgravity controls displayed more random directions. Shoot growth angles showed greater variability, which may indicate that the acoustic mechanical stimuli have less influence on shoots than on roots, as confirmed by circular statistical analysis. Although ultrasound did not fully restore normal gravitropic growth, it demonstrates the potential to support future plant development in space for long-term space exploration.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2026 Plant Biology (Senior Division) · Entry S-18-05

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