Photosynthesis in Red Dwarf Light
M-dwarf stars emit mostly infrared. Plants evolved under G-type spectra need adapted LED spectra to photosynthesize efficiently. Research shows red:blue ratios of 3-5:1 work best for biomass accumulation.
Explore how Earth crops adapt to low gravity, high radiation, and exotic starlight. Simulate plant growth on alien worlds and find the best species for your colony.
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Effective PAR
79.5 µmol/m²/s
Radiation Factor
1.4×
PAR Fraction
45%
Peak Wavelength
550 nm
| Species | Type | Viability | Days to Harvest | Yield | LED Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Radiotrophic Fungus (Xeno-engineered) Fictional: uses melanin to convert gamma radiation into metabolic energy | Fictional | High (95%) | 14 d | 2.86 g/m²/d | — |
Silicon Cactus (Xenomorphica) Fictional: silicon-based extremophile, survives near-vacuum, slow growth | Fictional | High (95%) | 180 d | 1.43 g/m²/d | — |
Arabidopsis thaliana Model plant, rapid life cycle, used in ISS experiments | Real | High (95%) | 42 d | 0.47 g/m²/d | 28.2 W/m² |
Chlorella (Microalgae) Extremophile algae, high O2 production, rapid growth | Real | High (81%) | 3 d | 16.15 g/m²/d | 8.2 W/m² |
Sweet Potato High-calorie tuber, NASA ALS candidate crop | Real | Medium (70%) | 120 d | 5.58 g/m²/d | 128.2 W/m² |
Potato High-yield staple, validated in sealed chamber trials | Real | Medium (70%) | 90 d | 4.88 g/m²/d | 128.2 W/m² |
Dwarf Wheat Compact cereal, ISS-tested, medium light needs | Real | Medium (65%) | 70 d | 3.27 g/m²/d | 168.2 W/m² |
Viability scores are weighted: PAR suitability (35%), radiation tolerance (35%), pressure (15%), gravity (15%). LED power assumes horticultural LEDs at 2.5 µmol/J efficacy.
Species data sourced from NASA BVAD (2018), Wheeler et al. (2003), and Poulet et al. (2020). Fictional species are speculative designs based on known extremophile biology.
M-dwarf stars emit mostly infrared. Plants evolved under G-type spectra need adapted LED spectra to photosynthesize efficiently. Research shows red:blue ratios of 3-5:1 work best for biomass accumulation.
Microgravity disrupts gravitropism. ISS experiments show roots grow in spirals without gravity cues. Porous tube hydroponics and aeroponics are leading solutions for root zone management in space.
Galactic cosmic rays damage plant DNA. Underground greenhouses (lava tubes) or water-shielded modules can reduce exposure 100-1000x. Polyploid plants show enhanced radiation tolerance.
Viability is a weighted score (0-1) based on PAR suitability (35%), radiation tolerance (35%), atmospheric pressure (15%), and gravity (15%). A score above 0.7 indicates high viability for the given environment.
Fictional species are speculative designs based on known extremophile biology on Earth. Radiotrophic fungi are inspired by melanin-rich Cryptococcus found in Chernobyl. Silicon-based organisms are theoretical constructs for ultra-low-temperature, low-pressure environments.
LED power is calculated assuming 2.5 µmol/J horticultural LED efficacy. The supplemental PAR needed to reach each species minimum optimal range is divided by this efficacy to estimate watts per square meter.
The current version focuses on atmospheric, gravitational, and radiative factors. Soil chemistry (regolith toxicity, nutrient availability) is planned for a future update.
Wir erfassen Ihre Finanzdaten oder Mitarbeiterzahlen nicht. Alle Berechnungen werden sofort in Ihrem Browser durchgeführt. · Molmassen basieren auf IUPAC-2023-Atomgewichten und der NIST-Standardreferenzdatenbank 144 — geprüft anhand von PubChem-Referenzwerten für 200 gängige Verbindungen (mittlere Abweichung < 0,001 g/mol). CO₂-Schätzungen verwenden die Cloud Carbon Footprint 2024-Methodik und EPA 2025-Emissionsfaktoren — geeignet für richtungsweisende ESG-Berichterstattung, nicht für ISO 14064-zertifizierte Bilanzierung.