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Hello, we are Team 3 from Greater Lowell Technical High School participating in the Plant The Moon competition. Our project investigates how we can grow plants in lunar soil using preconditioned soil with different kinds of organic materials while using a box filtration system.

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#22653 Highland FFA Greenhand (Gilbert, Arizona)

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#22653 Highland FFA Greenhand (Gilbert, Arizona)

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We conducted an experiment to determine what plants grow best in a 50:50 mix of garden soil and lunar substrate.

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Team # 21076, Martian Monarchs, Tinton Falls, NJ

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Team # 21076, Martian Monarchs, Tinton Falls, NJ

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We created an simulated aquaponics system and tested which crops might grow best in this type of system.

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#21402 BCA Moon Explorers, Rochester, NH

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#21402 BCA Moon Explorers, Rochester, NH

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Growing Austrian Winter Pea using Mycorrhizae and Trichoderma.

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Copy of Austrian winter Pea; Plant the moon project

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20524 Gorilla Moon Farmers Colegio Presbiteriano Rehma en Hormigueros Puerto Rico 

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20524 Gorilla Moon Farmers Colegio Presbiteriano Rehma en Hormigueros Puerto Rico 

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Using the fertilizer 20:20:20 and CeP a natural fertilizer which one make the lunar regolith fertile so the Lettuce plants can grow healthier and faster.

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Gorilla Moon Farmers 20524 Our Results. Colegio Presbiteriano Rehma in Hormigueros Puerto Rico  

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Gorilla Moon Farmers 20524 Our Results. Colegio Presbiteriano Rehma in Hormigueros Puerto Rico  

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Using Ferltilizer 20:20:20 and CEP a natural fertilizer which one will make the the lunar Regolith fertile and make the Lettuce plants grow faster and healthier.

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Does adding gypsum to a 50/50 blend of lunar regolith and fertilizer decrease the water infiltration rate while growing tillage radishes?

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Coffee Grounds

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What ratio of lunar regolith to straw pellets produce the largest mass of mushroom growth?

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Different amounts of water for each lettuce set

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This study investigated the effects of xanthan gum on the growth of cherry belle radishes in lunar regolith

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We are Team 1 from Greater Lowell Technical High School for the Plant on Mars project. Our team designed an aquaponic system with 36 planting holes to test plant growth on Mars. We grew alfalfa, spinach, mint, and lettuce using Martian soil, Earth soil, and a mixed soil blend, and also tested tomato and bell pepper seeds. We included special alfalfa seeds that had traveled to space, protected and unprotected by aerogel. We used goldfish, koi fish, snails, and pleco fish to support the system and natural filters like Lava rocks and zeolite. Our goal was to explore sustainable farming methods for future Mars missions.

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Spinach and basil as our crops

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This study investigated the growth of four plant species- Gherkin (Cucumis anguria), Long bean (Vigna unguiculata), Thampala (Amaranthus tricolor), Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus), and Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea)-in simulated Martian regolith to assess their viability for future extraterrestrial agriculture in Mars.
Given the challenges of Martian soil (low nutrients, high perchlorates, and poor water retention), these species were selected for their drought tolerance, nitrogen-fixing ability, and adaptability to warm climates, traits analogous to Sri Lanka’s dry zone (70% of its land area). Controlled environmental variables include red and blue LED light spectra to optimise stem elongation and leaf development, 125 Hz acoustic stimulation to enhance root growth, and organic fertilization using boiled coffee water as a sustainable nutrient source for closed-loop space habitats. After 30 days, Winged bean exhibited the tallest growth (17.6 cm), consistent with its vining habit, while peanuts showed minimal height gain (1.5 cm), prioritizing subterranean pod development. Gherkin and Long bean displayed intermediate growth (9.8 cm and 4.0 cm, respectively), with Gherkin’s rapid germination suggesting suitability for quick biomass production. These results highlight species-species trade-offs between height and resource allocation under Martian soil constraints. Winged bean and Gherkin emerge as promising candidates for further study, whereas Peanuts may require alternative growth strategies. This project underscores the potential of stress-tolerant crops in advancing sustainable food systems for Mars colonisation.

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Ceylon Institute of Space Science - CISS

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A Home Away from Home - Plant The  Mars   Team J Six

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#21241 Team Plantstronauts, California State University Monterey Bay

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#21241 Team Plantstronauts, California State University Monterey Bay

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In our experiment, we investigated the growth of Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushrooms) in simulated Martian regolith, specifically focusing on its viability as a potential food source for future extraterrestrial agriculture. The experiment was part of our broader interest in understanding the challenges and opportunities of growing plants in space, and how different soil amendments can impact plant growth in such an extreme environment.

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Attempting to grow Rutgers tomatoes in Martian soil. During our experiment, we drove ourselves to insanity and did nothing but brain-rot every time it came down to taking care of the plants. We also developed a constant fear and hatred towards most- if not all of our plants. we are the most brain-rotted team. HELP

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Plant The Moon Video- SAMi JR MANRRS 2025

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In our experiment we studied the effects of biochar and perlite amendments on the growth of Alfalfa Plants

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Comparing Effects of Mycorrhizal Fungi and SP-1 Fertilizer on Sunflower Growth in a Lunar Regolith-Terrestrial Soil Medium.

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Influence of A. vulgare on the Decrease in Aluminum Content for Habitability of Lunar Highland Stimulant-1 Lunar Regolith for the Growth of H. vulgare L.

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#22765 Heritage Hall Plant the Moon (Oklahoma City, OK)

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#22765 Heritage Hall Plant the Moon (Oklahoma City, OK)

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In our experiment, we investigated whether bacteria can be utilized to transport nutrients into plants in lunar regolith, thereby aiding plant growth. This research is vital because fertilizers and other soil enhancers are not renewable, meaning they cannot be used long-term on a space mission, whereas bacteria can be regrown and recycled. The experiment was broken into two parts. In the first part, we used a negative control, with plants being exposed to bacteria that had not been grown with plant nutrients, to determine whether the nutrients were being transported. In the second part of the experiment, the bacteria were exposed to bacteria that were grown off the plant mass, and the differences in plant mass were graphed to determine that the nutrients were transferred using the bacteria. The experiment demonstrated that bacterial inoculants can enhance the efficiency of plant-growing operations by effectively recycling plant matter. This was important to the goals of the Plant the Moon Challenge because it suggested that bacterial inoculants could be used as a nutrient transport system, increasing the quantity of edible food compared to plants grown without them.

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The final procedure of the experiment.

This experiment focus on exploring the effect of vitamin C on conditioning the Martian soil.

The observation differs from expectation might be caused by using excessive amount of gardening soil in the stimulant and gardening soil mixture.

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#20480 Biogrowth Lab (San Juan, Puerto Rico)

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#20480 Biogrowth Lab (San Juan, Puerto Rico)

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This experiment investigated the germination and growth of Spinacia oleracea (spinach) using magnetically enhanced lunar regolith simulants. We manually separated the ferromagnetic fraction of regolith with neodymium magnets and compared plant growth across six substrate treatments: soil, raw regolith, ferromagnetic regolith, and combinations with soil and fertilizer. Spinach seeds were grown in a controlled greenhouse environment under a 12-hour light/dark cycle. Results showed that ferromagnetic regolith alone significantly improved plant development compared to raw regolith, with performance comparable to terrestrial soil, demonstrating the potential of magnetic separation to optimize lunar regolith for future off-world agriculture.

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22757 Sprayberry Mars Explorers (Marietta, Georgia)

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22757 Sprayberry Mars Explorers (Marietta, Georgia)

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The experiment actively modifies the soil environment using structural and nutritive enhancements to support plant growth. Nutrient Gel – A specialized agar gel embedded in the regolith provides nutrients and acts as a water reservoir for plants. Structural Matrix – A porous support structure within the gel stabilizes plant roots and facilitates nutrient and water distribution. Practical Sustainability – The design prioritizes real-world application for space missions, focusing on in situ resource utilization. On-site Development – Components (matrices and pots) are designed for 3D printing to ensure adaptability and ease of use in space. Microgravity Preparation – The experiment tests the rehydration of nutrient matrices in microgravity, evaluating their feasibility as an alternative to the ISS's current plant-watering methods.

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From Earth to Moon: Assessing Plantain (Musa paradisiaca L.) Leaf Tea as a

Sustainable Fertilizer for Space Farming (Team #20362)

This experiment aimed to investigate whether plantain (Musa paradisiaca L.) leaf tea, a natural fertilizer, could enhance the growth of spinach in lunar soil simulant.

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Our team learned a lot from this experiment, and we appreciate the opportunity to participate. While we were not successful in getting our plants to grow, due to weather-related missed school days, sickness and other conflicts (which would not be present on the moon's environment), we did find that the atmospheric conditions played a role in the turnout of our project. We attempted to grow spinach, kale and lettuce, and re-planted our seeds at one point, in addition to changing the setting where our seeds were located due to drafty conditions. While the lights enhanced the growth of the plants, the lack of necessary amounts of water counteracted their survival and resulted in their eventual demise.

We found that the 100% regolith, followed by the 1:1 regolith/soil mixture, were the least desirable for optimal growth. Conversely, the supplemental nutrients we added after testing our soil composition, did aid in our ability to eventually obtain a somewhat promising plant. Nonetheless, it ultimately failed to thrive.

Overall, we learned to collaborate and troubleshoot, and developed some ideas and knowledge from our experience that we can use in future endeavors.

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The effects of magnesium and phosphorus on the directional growth of Vigna unguiculata roots.

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Sprayberry Stem Moon Explorers Final Video Spring 2025

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The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the impact of a custom soil amendment, HumiKos, on plant growth in simulated lunar regolith as part of the 2025 Plant the Moon Challenge. HumiKos, a blend of biochar and mycorrhizae, was tested for its ability to enhance the growth of Cajanus cajan (gandules) and Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) under controlled artificial light conditions. The experiment involved varying ratios of HumiKos and regolith. Results showed limited success for gandules, with only one plant successfully growing in the 90% regolith / 10% HumiKos mixture. In contrast, watermelon seeds demonstrated rapid and healthy germination in several mixtures, including pure regolith. These findings suggest that while HumiKos may offer modest benefits for certain crops, watermelon exhibits a higher tolerance to the nutrient-deficient lunar regolith environment. Future research should explore extended growth periods, additional crop types, and refinements in amendment ratios to better support sustainable extraterrestrial agriculture.

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Soybeans on mars

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From Earth to Moon: Assessing Plantain (Musa paradisiaca L.) Leaf Tea as a Sustainable Fertilizer for Space Farming This experiment aimed to investigate whether plantain (Musa paradisiaca L.) leaf tea, a natural fertilizer, could enhance the growth of spinach in lunar soil simulant. This research is significant, as future astronauts must cultivate their food in space, where lunar regolith lacks the essential nutrients required for plant development.

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Minty Mars

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Growth of Yukon Gold potatoes in different combination of soil amendments: vermiculite, perlite, pro mix soil, coconut coir, coffee grounds.

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Planting on the Moon with Different Plants

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This experiment consisted of different crops in the same soil composition with the addition of banana peels.

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Number: 21308

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The purpose of our experiment was to determine if green bean plants would grow faster with Miracle Gro Plant Food or Other Brand Plant Food in lunar and earth soil.

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#20320 Hampton VA - Kecoughtan HS Team 1

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#20320 Hampton VA - Kecoughtan HS Team 1

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Growing a variety of vegetables/herbs in order to determine the best to grow in moon/soil composite.

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We attempted to grow carrots in regolith simulant and other amendments. It was more challenging than we thought.

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#20545 Moonseed Pioneers (Hatillo, Puerto Rico)

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#20545 Moonseed Pioneers (Hatillo, Puerto Rico)

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After 8 weeks of experiment the final results video is finally done. On this video we explain what happened inside of those 8 weeks, showcasing how our 100% regolith pot (aka pot 10 in our experiment). We also acknowledge our challenges along the way. Finally, we show images of the crops that grew as they grew (well a reverse grow but it resembles how they grew and where they started).

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The independent variable includes 3 different seed types, including Radish, Green Onion, and Spinach (Kookaburra). Each of these plants were chosen because they have fast seed germination and growth rates that grow at the same time. To determine the success of the experiment, the seed germination rate, plant height, and number/size of leaves are measured. Each of these will determine how well the seeds can develop in a mixture of peat moss, potting soil, and lunar soil. To avoid outside variables, the light, water, growth time, humidity, temperature, and soil composition will stay the same.

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The team chose tomatoes and peas as the two crops to test for growth capabilities on

lunar regolith. Tomatoes were chosen because of their strong root system which is necessary for the lunar regolith due to its high shear strength, plant root systems will have to be strong to make

headway in the soil. Peas were chosen due to their ability to survive in substrates that lack many nutrients. Lunar regolith lacks nitrogen and contains only lesser amounts of phosphorus and potassium, peas can fix nitrogen from the air and can survive with lesser amounts of phosphorus and potassium than other plant species. To aid in phosphorus uptake, the organism Pseudomonas fluorescens was added to the regolith simulant. This bacterium helps break down unusable phosphorus in the soil into a form that plants can use for growth and development.

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#22635 Opportunity Marstakers (Albion, MI)

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#22635 Opportunity Marstakers (Albion, MI)

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Does drinking teacher water make better peppers and lettuce plants on Mars? Let's find out!

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Out experiment aimed to grow bush beans in different percentages of lunar stimulant soil.

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#22687 PSU Scranton (Dunmore, Pennsylvania)

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#22687 PSU Scranton (Dunmore, Pennsylvania)

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In our experiment we examined the effects of different concentrations of biochar (0%, 12.5%, 25%, 50%, and 100%) mixed with lunar regolith, to see the effect it has on the growth of Amaranthus hypochondriacus. Our main growth factors included in the experiment was germination rate, plant height, leaf number, leaf area, and leaf pigmentation. Which were all measured over a two-week germination period followed by an extended growth phase.

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#20638 Academic Magnet (Charleston, South Carolina)

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#20638 Academic Magnet (Charleston, South Carolina)

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As long-duration lunar missions and extraterrestrial habitation become increasingly feasible, developing sustainable agricultural systems in resource-limited environments is critical. Our research, conducted as part of NASA’s Plant the Moon Challenge, evaluated how different germination stages, planting methods, and soil amendments influence early plant growth in simulated regolith—a substrate characterized by low nutrient content, poor water retention, and limited permeability. We hypothesized that incorporating nutrient-rich Miracle-Gro Garden Soil and moisture-retentive gelatin into regolith-based mixtures and transplanting seeds after radicle or root hair emergence would enhance early plant growth in regolith-dominant substrates. Six bean varieties were tested across six medium types, ranging from 100% regolith to formulated blends containing Miracle-Gro and gelatin. Control variables—including light, soil moisture, and temperature—were monitored using a BBC micro:bit consistent conditions without manual data collection. As expected, direct planting into high-regolith media led to poor germination and limited growth. However, transplanting seeds after paper towel pre-germination consistently improved survival and early development across all media. The 20G composite mix (50% regolith, 30% garden soil, 20% gelatin) yielded the most consistent success, balancing nutrient enrichment and water retention. In addition, Broad Windsor Fava beans exhibited strong adaptability, even in pure regolith. To further promote growth, a passive self-watering system was implemented to provide steady subsurface moisture and improve root development. Our findings highlight a multi-faceted approach—targeting pre-plant stage, media optimization, and water delivery—to support early plant development in regolith simulants. These insights not only inform space agriculture design but also present potential applications for sustainable farming in arid, nutrient-poor terrestrial environments. Future research should focus on optimizing gelatin concentrations, assessing plant responses under lunar gravity, and evaluating long-term growth outcomes to strengthen extraterrestrial agricultural viability.

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Our study systematically evaluated the growth of Perilla frutescens in lunar regolith simulant versus Earth soil under controlled conditions, utilizing 14 treatment groups to assess the effects of organic amendments. Lunar regolith’s high alkalinity (pH 9–10) and mineral density were modified using crushed eggshells (0%, 5%, 20%) and vinegar (5% acetic acid), with artificial lighting and stable temperature (26°C) simulating extraterrestrial agricultural constraints. Earth soil served as a control. Results demonstrated that lunar regolith amended with 5% eggshells and vinegar optimized plant growth (22.2 cm height, 11 cm roots), as vinegar neutralized alkalinity (pH 7.1) while eggshells supplied calcium. Conversely, Earth soil performed best with 5% eggshells alone (33.8 cm height, 22.5 cm roots), as vinegar over-acidified its near-neutral pH. Excessive eggshells (20%) hindered growth in both soils, forming impermeable surface layers. Lunar regolith’s fine particles caused progressive compaction (>40% density increase), restricting root aeration-a challenge absent in Earth soil. These findings underscore the necessity of pH modulation and nutrient balance for lunar agriculture. The experiment highlights the viability of traditional organic amendments (eggshells, vinegar) in transforming regolith into a growth medium, though structural modifications (e.g., porous additives) are critical to mitigate compaction. This work advances in-situ resource utilization strategies, offering a sustainable framework for extraterrestrial crop cultivation and reducing reliance on Earth-derived inputs.

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#21185 Cheshire High School Team #1 (Cheshire, CT)

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#21185 Cheshire High School Team #1 (Cheshire, CT)

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This experiment tested the effectiveness of Murashige & Skoog (MS) media in Lima beans' growth in lunar regolith. The Lima beans were watered with various concentrations of MS media diluted in water and compared to identical pots growing the Lima beans in Earth soil.

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[Plant Mars Spring 2025] Final Showcase Video

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Our aim is to evaluate the most effective organic material and fertilizer combination for the growth of Pot-a-Peno hot peppers.

We believe that the soil mixture of peat moss and regolith, in the ratio of 1:1, with a fertilizing additive of coffee grounds, will be most effective in promoting the growth of Pot a Peno hot peppers and encouraging fruit production.

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Will lettuce grow better under red and blue lights than sunlight? A work in progress

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The purpose of our experiment was to determine the most effective soil amendment for optimizing plant growth in lunar regolith simulant. Recognizing that lunar soil lacks the nutrients and structure needed to sustain life, our goal was to test different amendments and identify a strategy that could enhance plant development, contributing to future efforts in lunar agriculture.

To achieve this, we amended the lunar simulant soil with different materials including compost, peat moss, perlite, and also a mixture of all three and observed the resulting plant growth. Each amendment was designed to address key challenges such as poor nutrient content, water retention, and pH imbalance. We kept the heat intensity and the volume of water controlled throughout this experiment.

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In our experiment we tested the growth of bell peppers in different percentages of lunar stimulant soil. We were unsuccessful in plant growth.

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This experiment was designed to test how a mixture of dried, decaffeinated (used) coffee grounds would interact with lunar regolith simulant to help plants grow. Specifically, the plants that were grown were arugula and radishes because of their ability to adapt to less than optimal growth conditions and the small amount of time it takes for the plants to sprout. The experimental growth was 50% lunar soil and 50% used coffee grounds. Unfortunately, only three of my plants sprouted out of the 36 that I planted, and they were all in my control group of normal lunar soil, and they all died within 24 hours of me first seeing them. While this experiment wasn't successful, it did provide a lot of information on how lunar soil acts when mixed with coffee grounds.

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#20563 Los Galácticos (San Juan, Puerto Rico)

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#20563 Los Galácticos (San Juan, Puerto Rico)

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Our group measured the effect of direct sunlight, indirect sunlight and light from UV light bulbs in the height and leaf amount of each radish plant. All experimental groups used the same regolith to soil ratio.

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20594, MML Team, Manuel Mendez Liciaga High School, San Sebastian, P.R.

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20594, MML Team, Manuel Mendez Liciaga High School, San Sebastian, P.R.

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In our research natural coconut coir mixed with regolith was used as a substrate and worm leachate as fertilizer.  The nutrients that plants need to grow are to be provided by worm leachate, thus avoiding the use of chemicals that can harm the environmentThe worm leachate is obtained from the preparation of compost from Californian worms fed with remnants of fruits and vegetables and it is very rich in nutrients. The natural coconut coir mix is mainly formulated from coconut fruit, which favors the environment since it is made from the part of the coconut that is discarded, therefore that material is used, and less garbage is generated. We need to maximize the use of our resources and move toward sustainable agriculture. Using waste to improve regolith fertility makes this possible.

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Our experiment examined the ideal ratio of lunar regolith to soil. For our soil, we used a custom mix of fertilizer, sphagnum moss, perlite, and Miracle-Gro potting soil. We used four different ratios: 50/50, 70/30, 30/70, and 0/100 (to serve as our control group). We initially planted strawberry and tomato seeds, but after our strawberry seeds failed to germinate, we switched to radish seeds for their quick germination time.

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#20595 Tigers Manuel Mendez Liciaga,San Sebastian PR

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#20595 Tigers Manuel Mendez Liciaga,San Sebastian PR

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Our research focused on mixing several sustainable substrate to improve regolith when planting radishes.

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#21405 Future Martians (Detroit, Michigan)

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#21405 Future Martians (Detroit, Michigan)

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We explored how varying water levels and Martian-like soil conditions affect mint growth, with the goal of understanding how plants might grow on Mars. Mint was chosen for its fast growth and potential usefulness in early Mars colonies. Each pot had a mix of 70% Mars soil simulant, 20% gardening soil, and 10% compost, with LED lighting and varying water levels as the independent variable. Weekly measurements were taken for plant height and leaf count, only one plant (Pot 2, with 75 mL water) showed minimal growth, producing two leaves before the sprout broke and no further growth occurred. Other pots were either too dry or too wet, forming holes or failing to retain moisture. Even though there was no successful long-term growth, the experiment gave us useful insights into plant development in Martian-like environments and the importance of better planning, material selection, and understanding of plant-soil interactions for future experiments.

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Our team, PR a la Luna_CSI from Colegio San Ignacio, conducted an experiment to study how different soil types mixed with lunar regolith simulant affect the growth of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum). Our goal was to explore ways to grow food in lunar environments for future space missions. We planted tomato seeds in five different soil conditions, including pure regolith, backyard soil, and regolith mixed with peat moss, orchid bark, or seed starting mix. Over a six-week period, we measured plant growth under controlled light and watering conditions. Our results showed that the seed starting mix combined with regolith produced the healthiest and tallest plants, while pure regolith and backyard soil had very poor results. Through statistical analysis, we confirmed significant differences between the groups, supporting our hypothesis that nutrient-rich soils are crucial for successful plant growth on the Moon.

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Plant the Moon- PR a la Luna - Made with Clipchamp (1)

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The purpose of our experiment was to determine whether lavender could be grown in lunar regolith simulant, and if so, under what conditions. Lavender was selected as a medicinal herb, since our club has an interest in future medical careers. Lavender has anti-anxiety and sleep-promoting qualities. Anxiety and sleep disorders are very common in our population, and we infer that their incidence may continue to increase in the future. Lavender holds the potential to sooth astronauts and lunar-based staff through natural compounds.

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Our experiment was to see if basil could successfully be grown in lunar regolith simulant, and if so, under which ideal conditions. Basil was selected because it has anti-hypertension qualities, but also culinary uses. High blood pressure is very common in our community, and we suspect that its incidence will continue to increase in the future.

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#20580 Team Twilight New Moon, Alexandria, VA

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#20580 Team Twilight New Moon, Alexandria, VA

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The purpose of our experiment was to test the effect of Nitrogen Sources on Rocket Arugula (Eruca sativa) growth in a Lunar Regolith-Soil Replacement Mixture. The result of the experiment was aimed at helping NASA determine what percentage of Nitrogen (45%, 12%, or 3%) added to a regolith mixture will be the best for future crop growth, such as the nutritious Rocket Arugula, on the Moon for a sustainable human presence. The experiment directly supports NASA’s Lunar Artemis Program and its goal of reestablishing a human presence on the moon for extended scientific discovery, exploration, and sustainability.

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#20547 Team Roots On The Moon Cidra, Puerto Rico

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#20547 Team Roots On The Moon Cidra, Puerto Rico

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Roots on the Moon's experiment is based on observing and analyzing which type of crop would have greater growth; implementing a mixture of Earth soil, regolith, and compost based fertilizer.

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Our experiment tested the effects of human hair as a soil amendment to improve plant growth (bok choy) when mixed with 50% lunar regolith.

Human hair contains nitrogen, one of the major elements that make up the protein keratin, which is the primary structure of hair. Therefore, it would act as a natural fertilizer. Additionally, we were investigating if human hair could help aerate the soil because when lunar soil is watered, it tends to become compacted and restrict/suffocate the roots leading to stunted growth.

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#21300 Group 2 Whitman-Hanson Regional, Whitman, MA

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#21300 Group 2 Whitman-Hanson Regional, Whitman, MA

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Does lettuce grow better in black light and natural light or just natural light, in a combo of soil and lunar regolith?

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Final Showcase Video

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#20207 Team Greening the Solar System Charleston, SC

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#20207 Team Greening the Solar System Charleston, SC

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growing spinach, lettuce, peppers and tomatoes in various ratios of soil/regolith

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#21299 Team 1 Whitman-Hanson Regional, Whitman, MA

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#21299 Team 1 Whitman-Hanson Regional, Whitman, MA

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Just water, regular grow lights, 119g soil and 100g lunar regolith, lettuce seeds. Which will work better natural light or grow lights?

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#20434 Team Terraluna in Caguas, Puerto Rico

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#20434 Team Terraluna in Caguas, Puerto Rico

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This experiment consisted of testing different types of soil fertilizers to find out which one supported better plant growth.

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#20635 AgroEvolution JCC 2 (Humacao, PR)

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#20635 AgroEvolution JCC 2 (Humacao, PR)

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"Natural Fertilizers" - Molases and honey were compared as natural fertilizers when planting sunflower.

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#20634 AgroEvolution JCC 1 (San Juan, PR)

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#20634 AgroEvolution JCC 1 (San Juan, PR)

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"Just Add Water" - Planting dryland rice in 100% regolith, irrigating only with water.

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 #20546 Eagles Fly High team (Guaynabo PR)

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 #20546 Eagles Fly High team (Guaynabo PR)

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Testing growth rate with worms 🪱🌱

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#20381 Team Scouting to the Moon (Troop 327 - Bayamon, PR)

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#20381 Team Scouting to the Moon (Troop 327 - Bayamon, PR)

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Final Video: Growing spinach mixed with compost and regolith

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different fertilizers dissolved in water

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variety of pH levels

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Different composts with lettuce seeds

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#22753 Wycombe Abbey School (High Wycombe, UK)

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#22753 Wycombe Abbey School (High Wycombe, UK)

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We experimented the effect of organic matter on the growth of garden cress in lunar soil. This included banana peels, apple cores, and coffee grounds with addition of earthworms in half of the pots. We measured the number of seeds germinated, number of leaves, tallest stem height and mass of plants in each pot.

The final results suggests that’s coffee grounds produced best performing plants and that earthworms enhanced plant growth by significant amounts.

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We are Team 1 from Greater Lowell Technical High School for the Plant on Mars project. Our team designed an aquaponic system with 36 planting holes to test plant growth on Mars. We grew alfalfa, spinach, mint, and lettuce using Martian soil, Earth soil, and a mixed soil blend, and also tested tomato and bell pepper seeds. We included special alfalfa seeds that had traveled to space, protected and unprotected by aerogel. We used goldfish, koi fish, snails, and pleco fish to support the system and natural filters like Lava rocks and zeolite. Our goal was to explore sustainable farming methods for future Mars missions.

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This experiment consisted of different soil composition to find out which one supported plant growth.

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This experiment consisted of different water ranges for lettuce in the same soil composition.

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This experiment consisted of different soil compositions to find out which one supported plant growth.

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This experiment consisted of different crops in the same soil composition to find out which plants would grow.

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This experiment consisted of different crops in the same soil composition to find out which plants would grow.

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This experiment was developed to test the effect of inoculant on the growth of snap peas in lunar soil. It was decided to test this after preliminary research showed that the addition of nitrogen-fixing bacteria would be “beneficial if peas have not been grown in the garden in the past,” as would clearly be the case in lunar soil . Additionally, aiding the fixing of nitrogen in the soil would have beneficial effects on future crops being grown. Another advantage of adding an inoculant was thought to be a decrease in the amount of Earth soil needed for optimal plant growth and an “[improvement of] crop production”, which would aid the development of a sustainable colony on the moon.The experiment was conducted in a classroom with two large windows, in which all parts of the experiment were created and preformed. The pots were placed into metal trays with 6 pots in two of the trays and 2 pots in one tray. The trays were 2 and 1/4 inch tall. The pots with inoculant were in separate tray from the pots without inoculant except for the 100% soil pots which were together in the third tray. There were 14 pots total. Half of the pots had inoculant added and half of the pots were without inoculant. Each of the 7 pots with and without inoculant had different ratios of lunar soil to Earth soil,

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The experiment was conducted at INTER Bayamon facilities, to investigate the effectiveness of different fertilizers in promoting plant growth in regolith. The primary objective was to determine which fertilizer would provide the necessary nutrients for sustainable crop production in space. The experiment utilized two types of fertilizers: 1. Fertilizer A: Composed of molasses, solid microorganisms, chicken excrement, leaves, corn starch, brown sugar, and ashes. These ingredients were selected for their high nutritional content and ability to decompose organic matter, enriching the soil with essential nutrients. 2. Fertilizer B: A repeat from the 2024 experiment, consisting of freeze-dried bananas, freeze-dried coffee, and yeast. These components were chosen based on their previous success in promoting plant growth and their potential to recycle organic waste.

The experiment results showed that the lettuce that is cultivated in 100% regolith (or 50% mix) that has fertilizer A had the greatest plant growth by plant height and leaf length. These results support the hypothesis that the lettuce that is cultivated in the regolith (or 50% mix) that has fertilizer A will have greatest plant growth as measured by plant height and length of leaves. Therefore, fertilizer A, that the fertilizer with the highest nutritional content, had the greatest plant growth.

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This experiment consisted of different soil compositions to find out which one supported plant growth.

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#20593 Nitrogenauts (San Juan, Puerto Rico) 

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#20593 Nitrogenauts (San Juan, Puerto Rico) 

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Our team, the Nitrogenauts, is tackling one of the greatest challenges for future lunar colonization: how to sustainably grow crops using local resources. Lunar regolith lacks essential nutrients, especially nitrogen, which is critical for plant development. To address this, we designed an experiment to test whether adding nitrogen sources could significantly improve plant growth in simulated lunar soil. We carefully amended the simulant with nitrogen-rich additives and selected a hardy, fast-growing plant species for the trial, while controlling variables such as watering schedules, light exposure, and soil composition. Throughout the experiment, we measured plant biomass and tested nitrogen levels in the soil to monitor nutrient availability and plant response. Our findings were exciting: plants grown with nitrogen supplementation showed greater height, greener leaves, healthier root systems, higher biomass accumulation, and improved survival rates compared to the control group. This project stands out because it offers a practical, scalable solution for extraterrestrial agriculture, demonstrates clear, measurable improvements through a simple soil amendment, and directly supports NASA’s Artemis goals of establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon.

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Plant The Moon - Final Video Nitrogenauts 

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This experiment consisted of different soil compositions to find out which one supports plant growth.

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We chose to conduct this experiment to measure the efficiency of different fertilizers with the moon soil on the radish seeds. Altering the type of fertilizer ultimately reveals which one promotes the most growth. This would allow us to enhance the moon soil and grow healthy plants at a higher rate of success. For our plant, we chose radishes due to their hardiness and ability to grow well in arid environments, their quick growth period, and the fact that a high proportion of the plant is edible; this makes them optimal for growing for astronauts on the space station.

The value of this experiment stems from our results. By testing different fertilizers, we not only discover which ones work, but also which ones do not. This contributes greatly to the field of knowledge concerned with growth on the moon. By narrowing down the options, researchers can focus their resources and attention towards other growing methods.

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This experimnet consisted of different soil compositions to find out which one supported plant growth.

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This experiment consisted of different crops in the same soil mixture to find out which plants would grow.

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This experiment consisted of different soil compositions to find out which one supported plant growth.

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The experiment consisted of different soil compositions to find out which one supported plant growth.

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This project examines plant growth of tomatoes when combined with companion plants.

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#20711 VAIAL Team 4 ( Vellore, Tamilnadu, India)

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#20711 VAIAL Team 4 ( Vellore, Tamilnadu, India)

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Hello everyone, we are vaial team 4 and our team members are Praveen Kumar, Karthika, Naveenragau, Prabhakaran and Kavya. This season vaial team 4 look on this exciting challenge by investigating how spinach, a nutrient rich leafy green, grows in a simulated lunar environment using the lunar regolith. Our work is on enhancing spinach growth and yield in lunar regolith using nano supplement against soil stress.

Now let's see about the experiment design. The experiment consists of a total of 24 pots divided into two groups. 12 pots containing lunar soil mixture and 12 pots containing earth soil mixture.

Each group is further divided into control and treatment conditions with four applications per condition to ensure accuracy and reliability in the results. Now let's see about the media composition of the potting mixture. For earth soil media, we have used earth soil 200 gms + amendments 200 gms.

For lunar media, we have used lunar regolith 200 gms + amendments 200 gms. Now let's see about the list of amendments which we added in both earth media and lunar media. Vermicompost 94 gms, Biodynamic manure 1 + 2 gms, Biochar 1 gm, gypsum 2 gm, Coirpith +sphagnum peat moss 100 gm.

There were 20 seeds of spinach were sown in the pots. The lunar soil pots with seeds were kept in a plant growth chamber under a light cycle of 12 hours of light followed by a dark period. The day length of light increased to 14 hours on every five days that's simulating increased day length available in moon.

However, on every fifth day, the control pots in the lunar soil kept for 12 hours light cycle. The earth soil pots with seeds were kept in the controlled greenhouse and maintained under natural day length. Each pots were irrigated manually on every day and the volume of water increased by 30% more after the measurement of drainage water.

To ensure proper nutrient supply, NPK 19:19:19 is fertigated for every pot twice a week at a rate of 1 gm per liter of water. The silica nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes were supplemented to the pots of both soil after 15 days of sowing. Measured the growth parameters of every week.

Morphological data of plant height in centimeter, leaf length in centimeter, leaf breadth in centimeter and number of leaves from each pots were collected from three tagged plants on week 3, week 5 and week 7 respectively. Checking the parameters, we used ruler to measure the measurements. For the earth soil and runar regolith, we followed the same procedure.

Let's see about harvest analysis. The plants were harvested and roots were removed from the potted soil on week 7. The fresh yield of spinach was measured pot wise. The root length was measured by selecting three plants randomly from each pot and noted.

After all the measurements, sample was first shade dried and then oven dried at 60 degree Celsius for one day. After drying, the dry weight of each sample was recorded. Spinach cultivated in lunar regolith exhibited superior growth performance of plant height, leaf numbers, leaf dimensions compared to those grown in earth soil samples.

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The experiment consisted in planting spinach in two different experimental soil mixtures. The first mixture containing of 50% moon regolith and 50% potting soil. The second mixture was the same but included the addition of two-three worms. In the end we found out that

the presence of worms significantly enhanced spinach growth in both Moon and Moon/Dirt soils. The best plant performance was observed in the Moon/Dirt with worms condition, suggesting that a mixture of Moon soil and Earth dirt, supported by worms, provides a favorable environment for spinach growth. This could have implications for future agricultural practices in extraterrestrial environments.

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#22845 Astrobotanists 8   (Walterboro, SC)

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#22845 Astrobotanists 8   (Walterboro, SC)

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This project examines the challenges of growing plants in lunar soil, which consists of abrasive silicates, regolith, oxides, and trace elements. While rich in minerals, lunar soil's abrasive nature and electrostatic properties create difficulties for equipment and astronaut health. An experiment testing different ratios of lunar to regular soil to grow mint, spinach, lettuce, and parsley demonstrated that plants with less lunar soil initially sprouted more, but all eventually died. In contrast, five plants with 70 ml of water every other day grew to 6 inches. The study concludes that lunar soil presents obstacles to plant growth, and more research is necessary to overcome these challenges.

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#20231 Astrobotanists 7  (Walterboro, SC)

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#20231 Astrobotanists 7  (Walterboro, SC)

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This project aimed to determine the optimal soil composition for cultivating blue tomatoes in a simulated lunar environment, comparing growth across various lunar simulant and Earth soil mixtures. The hypothesis posited that moon soil would enhance plant growth. However, the results indicated that most plants perished, including those in lunar simulant mixtures. The researchers believe this was due to overwatering, which they attempted to rectify by reducing the water amounts. Ultimately, inadequate care resulted in the plants' demise, contradicting the initial hypothesis and underscoring the significance of diligent water management and regular monitoring in future experiments.

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This video goes over our experiment that involved sponges!

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This experiment consisted of Lactuca sativa lettuce seeds/plants as a sample. The experiment consisted of two phases. The first phase of our study observed how different ratios of macro and micronutrients impacted the germination rate of the seeds. During phase two, utilizing the optimum macro to micro ratio soil found from phase one, we tested ratios of probiotics to study how the addition impacts the general growth and health of the juvenile Lactuca sativa plants . During experimentation, all Lactuca sativa seeds successfully germinated and sprouts grew, using the different rations of micro and macro nutrients; however, many withered shortly post germination. Initially, only four ratio groups had plants that continued to thrive. From each of the other groups, three out of the four seeds sprouted and survived; however they appeared stunted and partially rotted. All five pots in phase two resulted in the death of plants. Much of the probiotic solutions in the groups failed to fully absorb into the lunar regolith, and no growth was evident when compared to the groups prior to the administration of the probiotics, leaving a pasty, brown film on the surfacing soil of all four of the experimental groups. The implication of both phases of this experiment and results is important to further develop research on lunar and any martian soil, taking researchers one step closer to important discoveries. We aimed to find the ideal ratio of macronutrients to micronutrients, and the ideal ratio of probiotics that would give the Lactuca sativa plants the highest rate of survival and healthiest growth. Our experiment was conducted in hopes that it could be of importance in the development of researching lunar agriculture.