Scientists grow chickpeas in ‘moon dirt’

Scientists working in the field of extraterrestrial agriculture have successfully grown harvestable chickpeas in soil mixtures largely composed of simulated lunar soil, marking an important step toward food production during long-term Moon missions.

Research Details

• The experiment used lunar soil simulant modeled after samples brought back during the Apollo program.
• The chickpeas were cultivated in a climate-controlled growth chamber at Texas A&M University.
• Researchers grew the “Myles” variety of chickpeas, with seeds coated in beneficial fungi to support plant growth.

Soil Composition

• Seeds were planted in mixtures of simulated lunar soil (regolith) and vermicompost, a nutrient-rich organic material produced when earthworms break down organic waste.
• Harvestable chickpeas were successfully grown in soil mixtures containing up to 75% lunar simulant.

Key Findings

• As the percentage of lunar simulant increased, the number of harvestable chickpeas decreased.
• However, the size of the chickpeas remained stable.
• Seeds planted in 100% lunar simulant failed to flower or produce seeds and died early.

About Lunar Soil

• Lunar soil, known as regolith, is composed mainly of crushed rock and dust created by meteorite impacts over billions of years.
• It contains minerals necessary for plant growth but lacks organic matter and biological activity, making it inhospitable compared to Earth’s soil.

Significance

• Chickpeas are rich in protein and essential nutrients, making them a strong candidate for space agriculture.
• Growing crops on the Moon would:
  • Reduce dependence on food transported from Earth.
  • Provide oxygen production and life-support benefits through plant growth.
  • Support future human settlements and lunar bases.

Background

• Previous research has shown plants can germinate in real lunar samples or regolith simulants, usually when organic matter such as compost is added to improve soil fertility.

Sources: The Hindu & Nature