Role of Gnotobiotics in a Space Station

In covered structures and semiclosed ecological systems on earth, disease epidemics occur frequently because pathogens can spread so rapidly. Chemical pesticides greatly reduce epidemics but alternative measures are needed for space applications. Two strategies for control are exclusion and sanitation procedures to prevent invasion of deleterious microorganisms and gnotobiotic infestation with organisms that act both as biological control agents and as plant growth promoters.