Although only a little soil, it is a major leap forward in human knowledge of space agriculture. Agence france-presse reported that, according to an experiment, for the first time, scientists had successfully planted plants on the moon soil brought back by astronauts in the apollo project。
The groundbreaking experiment, published on the 12th day in the journal communications biology, has given researchers hope that one day it will be possible to plant plants directly on the moon。
This will save many troubles and costs for future space missions, leading to longer and longer space travel。
The group of authors of the study, however, stated that they would continue to spare no effort on the subject。
According to bill nelson, director of the national aeronautics and space administration (nasa), “the study is essential to nasa's long-term human exploration goals” and “we need to use the resources of the moon and mars to develop food sources for future astronauts living and operating in deep space”。
In this experiment, the researchers used only 12 grams of the moon soil collected from different locations on the moon during missions apollo 11 (apollo 11), 12 and 17。
In a small tube, researchers place about 1 gram of soil (known as the weather layer), add water, then seeds, and irrigate plants daily。
Researchers have chosen to grow mustard near-line rat mustard, because it is easy to grow. Most importantly, it has been extensively studied, and its genetic codes and reactions to bad environments are well known。
As a control group, seeds were also planted in samples of the soil of the local sphere, as well as simulations of the soil of the moon and mars。
As a result, two days later, all seeds germinate, including samples of the soil of the moon。
In a statement, the lead author of the research paper, anna-lisa paul, said, “every plant, whether in the moon sample or in the control group, looks the same until around the sixth day”
Since then, however, differences have begun to occur: plants in moon samples grow slowly and their roots are stunted。
Twenty days later, scientists harvested all plants and studied their dna. The results of the analysis show that the lunar soil reacts in plants similar to those growing in bad environments, such as soils with excessive salinity or heavy metals。
Scientists will then examine how to make this environment more growth-friendly。
Nasa is preparing to return to the moon, and the long-term goal is that humanity can live on the surface of the moon, as part of the artemis programme。
