Scientists Successfully Manage to Grow Peas, Tomatoes and Radishes in simulated Martian Soil
Moon and Martian soil substitutes have been used to grow crops and recently have had some success. The Dutch-based research centre Wageningen University found the results the same as when compost was used.
Moon and Martian soil substitutes have been used to grow crops and recently have had some success. The Dutch-based research centre Wageningen University found the results the same as when compost was used. NASA provided the stimulants and got the Mars soil from a volcano in Hawaii and the moon soil is from the Arizona desert.
When used in isolation, the stimulants did not sustain the plants, but later with manure and grass cuttings added ten crops including leeks, rye, cress and chives and a greenhouse used. The products that grew successfully were rye, peas, tomato, radish, rocket and cress, and the amount equalled that grown in compost. Dr Wieger Wamelink was pleased that there was not a lot of difference in the quantity produced.
The results show that will be proper treatment, and there are promising signs, but also problems to overcome. The main issue is some metals in the foodstuff as a result of the makeup of the soil and this includes mercury and lead. The hope is to serve eventually a “Martian Meal” minus the metal to the people who are involved in the project.
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This is why there is going to be the third round of studies and they will begin in the spring. The food could not be eaten with the amount of metal that is currently present and that is why it has to be removed. It will be a great treat when the participants are eventually able to sit down and eat their treat.
Feature Image; The Martian
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Helena Marsh
Helena Marsh is the Editor-in-Chief at TrendinTech, where she leads editorial strategy and oversees coverage across artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and enterprise technology. With more than a decade in technology journalism on both sides of the Atlantic, she previously served as a senior editor at Wired UK and covered the technology sector for The Guardian, following the rise of the big platforms, the Cambridge Analytica scandal and the regulatory push from Brussels and Washington. Helena holds an MA in Journalism from City, University of London and is a regular speaker at Web Summit in Lisbon and CES in Las Vegas. She believes technology reporting should be rigorous and plainly written, so readers understand what actually changes for them rather than what a company's announcement promises.
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