ANALYSIS OF PLANT HARVEST INDEXES FOR BIOREGENERATIVE LIFE-SUPPORT-SYSTEMS

Harvest indices, which are measures of the ratio of edible to total pl ant weight, are redefined to include edible sugars derived from enzyma tic hydrolysis of the cellulose content of inedible plant components. Compositional analysis and carbohydrate contents of rapeseed, rice, so ybeans, cowpea, wheat, sweetpotato, white potato, and lettuce were ana lyzed to develop such generalized harvest indices. Cellulose conversio n is shown to extend considerably the food available from plants other wise grown for their oil and protein content in a bioregenerative life support system.