Ever since humans set foot on the lunar soil, excitement has stirred with the possibility of allowing people to live on the moon. At the time, it may have sounded like a far-fetched concept but scientists have taken a leap forward. Several moon space missions have been carried out by different countries, notably the USA and Russia. The astronauts collected soil samples from the moon missions and brought them back to the earth. Now in a new development, scientists have been able to grow plants in this lunar soil.
Initially researchers did not have a clear idea whether seeds would germinate in the lunar soil under simulated conditions. However, the results have made them ecstatic. The lunar soil is not nutrient-rich and so scientists picked the species Arabidopsis thaliana, which grows under unfavorable conditions. This study is pivotal for the success of NASA’s future space missions. The scientists who carried out the test are from the University of Florida. They were led by Rob Ferl, associated with the university’s Horticultural Sciences department and Anna-Lisa Paul.
Professor Robert Ferl said: “Here we are, 50 years later, completing experiments that were started back in the Apollo labs. We first asked the question of whether plants can grow in a regolith. And second, how might that one day help humans have an extended stay on the moon.” (EarthSky).
First steps towards a habitable moon
The answer to the first query is clear. It is possible to grow plants in lunar soil. Further experiments will help scientists understand how the lunar environment can be made suitable for humans in the future.
Jacob Bleacher the Chief Exploration Scientist for NASA’s Artemis program was upbeat about the development. He said: “To explore further and to learn about the solar system we live in, we need to take advantage of what’s on the moon, so we don’t have to take all of it with us. What’s more, growing plants is the kind of thing we’ll study when we go. So, these studies on the ground lay the path to expand that research by the next humans on the moon.” (EarthSky).
Arabidopsis thaliana, the plant species used by the scientists for this ground-breaking experiment is native to Africa and Eurasia. It is related to mustard greens and some cruciferous vegetables. The team made use of lunar soil samples obtained in Apollo 17, 12, and 11 missions. After some effort, the seeds started germinating. For the first week, all plants that sprouted looked nearly the same, and after that, the team could spot the differences.
The plants growing in lunar soil were not as healthy as plants growing in earthen soil. The plants in lunar soil grew somewhat slowly and had stunted leaves with pigmentation.
Future experiments
The findings obtained through these tests will help future scientific experiments and space endeavors. With NASA’s plans to explore the Moon’s south pole in search of water, the possibility of plants being grown on the moon may not be too far off. Not to mention the soils collected from Mars can also provide similar insights into the possibility of human colonies on Mars.
NASA chief Bill Nelson is also excited about the test results. He said: “This fundamental plant growth research is also a key example of how NASA is working to unlock agricultural innovations that could help us understand how plants might overcome stressful conditions in food-scarce areas here on Earth.” (BBC News).
Scientists were not deterred despite the results showing deficiencies in the plants. The next hurdle for future studies is the shortage of lunar soil samples. The University of Florida researchers were given only 1 gram of soil for each plant.
