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[The CIVIS Newsroom ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom) 2. Growing vegetables in space might be possible, SUR study reveals Growing vegetables in space might be possible, SUR study reveals ================================================================== CIVIS Highlights 10 March 2025 A research team including biologists from Sapienza University of Rome’s Department of Biology and Biotechnology has identified the molecular mechanisms that allow certain micro-vegetables to germinate and grow in the dark. The study, published in the journal *[Plant Communications](https://www.cell.com/plant-communications/fulltext/S2590-3462(25)00024-0)*, shows that in the near future we might grow vegetables in outer space. ![](/storage/files/photo-01-embryo-cardamine-hirsuta_1.jpg) © Hira Kazmi / SUR Finding micro vegetable varieties that can be cultivated in extreme environmental contexts, such as space missions, is an ideal solution, especially for supplying astronauts with fresh food during their travels and staying in space. But growing vegetables in space faces many challenges, the biggest of all being the limited availability of energy resources, especially light - which is crucial for the growth and proper development of plants. However, the researchers managed to isolate microgreens capable of germinating in the dark by identifying a molecular mechanism that promotes their growth independently of light. *Cardamine hirsuta*, more commonly known as bitter hairy cress, is a model plant with micro-vegetable characteristics capable of germinating independently of light. It owes this ability to high levels of Gibberellic Acid (GA), a hormone present in all plants and responsible for their growth, and the regulator DAG1, which is involved in the process independently of light conditions. The results will make it possible to transfer this knowledge to other microgreens via TEA technology (assisted evolution techniques), increasing the number of plant products available to astronauts and bringing the colonisation of other planets closer. New perspectives for the development of more resilient crops ------------------------------------------------------------ The study also shows that it will be possible to explore new perspectives for the development of more resilient crops that can adapt to increasingly complex environmental contexts due to climate change: > *Today, environmental issues involve society in all its components, making it necessary to develop alternative strategies to make crops sustainable and adaptable to new climatic conditions. The generation of plants of agronomic interest whose seeds are capable of germinating under sub-optimal conditions would therefore represent an important milestone for the generation of crops tolerant to environmental changes",* says Raffaele Dello Ioio, one of the coordinators of the study. The study was developed in collaboration with the Institute of Experimental Botany, the Italian Space Agency and the Department of Biology of the University of Pisa. **Find out more from the [original story](https://www.uniroma1.it/it/notizia/coltivare-le-verdure-nello-spazio-sara-possibile-anche-assenza-di-luce), in Italian.** ### Latest Highlights: *[QS World University Rankings 2025: The University of Bucharest ranks among the Top 500 Universities Worldwide for Sustainable Development](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/qs-world-university-rankings-2025-the-university-of-bucharest-ranks-among-the-top-500-universities-worldwide-for-sustainable-development)* *[French professor Corine Pelluchon awarded the Lucas Prize by the University of Tübingen](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/french-professor-corine-pelluchon-awarded-the-lucas-prize-by-the-university-of-tubingen)* [*Two UNIL Professors awarded with Doctor Honoris Causa by NKUA*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/two-unil-professors-awarded-doctor-honoris-causa-nkua) *[Sapienza opening of the academic year, held outside the Rome University for the first time](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/sapienza-opening-of-the-academic-year-held-outside-the-rome-university-for-the-first-time)* [*ULB academics join international scholars in urgent call for aid in RDC's humanitarian crisis*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/ulb-academics-join-international-scholars-in-urgent-call-aid-in-rdc-humanitarian-crisis) Related news ------------ - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/2026-01-10-145317-800x600.jpg?token=bdddc6c1d1da89737850041c5fc0c227)Musicians from all over CIVIS come together in Madrid to promote inclusiveness Connect 22 April 2026 ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/musicians-from-all-over-civis-come-together-in-madrid-to-promote-inclusiveness) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/at-irene-scifoni-02-sapienza-quantum-lab-copia-800x600.jpg?token=29eb8cbaf2383ed4bff95ad36bf7213b)SUR's modular photonic computer is now fully operational CIVIS Highlights 26 January 2026 ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/sur-s-modular-photonic-computer-is-now-fully-operational) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/02-mlk-foto-di-stefania-sepulcri_2-800x600.jpg?token=5ce00b0649bc049397348a1e5df68500)An in-depth exhibition at Sapienza celebrating Martin Luther King - the icon of the Civil Rights Movement CIVIS Highlights 2 December 2025 ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/an-in-depth-exhibition-at-sapienza-celebrating-martin-luther-king-the-icon-of-the-civil-rights-movement) [Discover all our stories](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom) [ amU launches 'Safe Place for Science' to welcome American scientists and calls for other European universities to do the same ](< https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/aix-marseille-universite-ready-to-welcome-american-scientists-and-calls-the-same-from-other-european-universities >) [ The University of Bucharest ranks among the Top 500 Universities Worldwide for Sustainable Development ](< https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/qs-world-university-rankings-2025-the-university-of-bucharest-ranks-among-the-top-500-universities-worldwide-for-sustainable-development >) ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Europe’s Civic University Alliance ![Co-funded by the European Union](https://civis.eu/build/assets/co-funded-by-the-european-union-DSKLW1us.png)Views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). 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