Schoolchildren selected several promising varieties and compared their vital activity on Earth and in orbit

Belarusians and Russians sent tomatoes into space and conducted a study on the subject. Valeria Vikhrova, head of the project “Into Space with Your Own Tomato,” told TASS about the discoveries they managed to make.

Schoolchildren from the two countries, together with the Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, selected several seed varieties: “Pinocchio,” “Groshik,” “Donetsky,” and “Bull’s Heart.”

They went into space aboard the Bion-M No. 2 biosatellite in August–September 2025. After returning to Earth, the young scientists were to germinate the space seeds in parallel with a control group of Earth-based counterparts.

The goal was to compare how weightlessness, extreme temperatures, and cosmic radiation affect seed germination and plant growth.

What the study showed

According to Vikhrova, space conditions had a positive effect on the seeds of all varieties.

“In all cases, space seeds germinate faster and in greater numbers than Earth seeds. Varietal specificity is observed,” the project leader noted.

Also, on the 10th day of the experiment, a positive effect was found on the growth of the above-ground part of tomatoes of all varieties, with “Groshik,” “Donetsky,” and “Bull’s Heart” showing the greatest response.

At the same time, space treatment of seeds positively affected the development of the root system in all species. The greatest sensitivity was shown by “Donetsky” and “Bull’s Heart.”

The specialists concluded that, thanks to their germination and resistance, the varieties “Groshik,” “Donetsky,” and “Bull’s Heart” can be recommended for further research in space farming conditions.

Source: TASS