Dutch researchers grow crops on Mars soil simulant
In an experiment testing how well we can grow crops in space, scientists have managed to harvest 10 crops, including tomatoes, peas, and rye, from soil that mimics the conditions on Mars.
In April 2015, the researchers planted the crops in a glass house under constant humidity, temperature and light conditions. These were cultivated under earth atmosphere because the scientists expect that the crops on the Red Planet and the moon will be grown underground to shield them from the space radiation and the harsh environment.
The Mars soil simulant was taken from a Hawaiian volcano while the moon soil simulant was from a desert in Arizona. Both soil simulants were provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
)The final harvest took place in October 2015. They observed that the biomass on the Mars soil was lower than on Earth control, but the difference was too minute to make a difference. Study researcher Wieger Wamelink adds that this proved that properly preparing and watering the Mars soil stimulant can result to good crop production.
In this experiment, crops such as tomato, peas, radishes, spinach, leeks, and chives were harvested. Since the soil contained heavy metals like lead and arsenic, the team didn’t test the harvest. The next step will be establishing safe ways for humans to consume them.
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