Growth of plants in lunar soil
Recently, for the first time, US researchers at the University of Florida (UF) have grown plants on Moon’s soil that was brought back to Earth.
How was the lunar soil brought back to Earth?
Astronauts in the Apollo missions 11, 12, and 17 brought back the soil from Moon to Earth almost 50 years ago. Lunar soil is also known as regolith.
Which species of plant was grown?
The plant species called Arabidopsis thaliana was grown in the lunar soil. All seeds planted in the lunar soils sprouted.
What is Arabidopsis thaliana?
The plant Arabidopsis thaliana is native to Eurasia and Africa. It is similar to the vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, etc.
Why Arabidopsis thaliana is widely used for research?
Because the genetic code of Arabidopsis thaliana is fully mapped.
What is the aim of the research?
To know whether plants can grow in lunar soil. And also to understand how the growth of plants on lunar soil may help humans to have an extended stay on the Moon.
Where was the study conducted by the researchers published?
The study was published in the journal Communications Biology. The researchers investigated how plants respond biologically to the lunar soil.
What is the significance of this achievement?
This shows that plants can successfully grow in lunar soil and it will pave the way for producing food and oxygen on the Moon in the future. Although the plants grown in lunar soil are not as strong as plants grown in Earth soil they did indeed sprout and grow. For future space missions like Artemis of USA, a better understanding of how to grow plants in space is required.
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Month: Current Affairs - May, 2022
Category: Science & Technology Current Affairs