Scientists manage to grow plants in lunar soil for the first time

Scientists broke new ground in the history of humanity. University of Florida researchers, who conducted research on samples collected from the lunar surface during NASA’s Apollo missions, succeeded in sprouting seeds in the lunar soil.

Moon Nearly all seeds planted on the regolith sprouted

University of Florida researchers have demonstrated that plants can sprout and grow successfully in lunar soil. The researchers used cultured cells as vessels and placed one gram of regolith collected from the lunar surface in each of them. They then added a nutrient solution and placed a few rat ear cress (Arabidopsis thaliana) seeds. They also planted the seeds in other soil types as part of a control group, including simulated Martian soil, soils from extreme environments, and a substance that mimics lunar soil.

Almost all of the seeds planted in the lunar regolith sprouted. But the plants eventually showed some differences compared to those grown in the control group. Plants planted in the lunar regolith grew more slowly and were smaller than the others. “There’s not a lot of nutrients needed to support plant growth in lunar soils,” said Stephen Elardo of the University of Florida. explained in his words.

The research showed how difficult it is to grow plants on the Moon’s surface. Because the growth rate of plants in the lunar regolith is much slower. In addition, genetic studies have shown that the plants growing in the lunar regolith are under stress.