1. First, we tested the PH levels of potting soil and different types of compost to see what was best for our plant, we added water to them, then used the test strips to see what PH levels we were working with 2. After we tested the PH levels of purified water and tap water

3. We mixed equal parts of soil and Moon regolith and added water to test the PH level of the mixture

4. Next, we mixed 1 ¼ cups of soil with 1 1/4 cups of moon regolith and mixed until it was well mixed

5. After we mixed the two mediums we slowly added 60 ML of water, adding in increments of 10 ML while mixing.

6. Next, we divided the mixture into 10 different pots

7. On February 9th we will plant the microgreens and we will place 10 seeds in every pot

8. Then we will dilute all of our amendments

a. Control of 50% lunar sand and 50% Miracle Grow potting mix

b. Mycorrhizae ½ of a teaspoon per gallon of water every 7-10 days

c. Azomite ¼ of a teaspoon per 10 ML of water once during the grow period

d. Oxidized copper ¼ of a teaspoon per 10 Ml of water once during grow period

e. All additives will be added to the soil mixture using the same manner as previous groups

9. Over the 8 weeks, we will measure the amount of growth each week and record our data.

10.Then we will analyze the data over the 8-week period while keeping the soil watered daily.

1. Begin by moistening pots with approx. 4 ounces of filtered tap water

2. Then fill pots 80% with desired amount of regolith:soil ratio 

3. Dampen soil at 50% of pot capacity

4. Place thumb into soil mixture and place seed in crater

5. Cover seed with soil/regolith mixture

6. Dampen planted seedlings

7. Set in a grow light tray (without light on) for approx. one week before UV light use

8. Dampen pots every 24hrs

We have six different compositions of potting soil, coconut coir, coffee grinds with egg shells, pearlite, and vermiculite.  Three of them have varying percentages of all of the additives, three of them have potting soil with just coconut coir, just vermiculite, and just pearlite.  

bonemeal's impact.

water does lettuce need to develop best? We kept researching lettuce and discovered the water they need to grow. So, we hypothesized that the lettuce receiving a moderate amount of

water (32 mL) would develop the best.

development. The organic matter in plantain tea promotes microbial activity, aiding in nutrient breakdown and absorption by plant roots.

Spinach seeds were selected because they have a fast growth rate, frequent harvest potential, and tolerance for various temperatures. Additionally, the soil composition will be maintained at a 50/50 ratio of soil to lunar regolith to enhance the properties of the lunar substrate.

We chose chia seeds for their fast germination and harvest.

Our Hypothesis is:

What is the optimal concentration for growth?

Variables:
Independent: regolith/soil concentrations
Dependent: growth, germination time
Controlled: location, watering

Variables:

Independent: Presence of gelatin

Dependent: Plant growth, chemical presence, soil pH, and soil moisture

including 50/50, 35/65, 25/75, 15/85, and 0/100 (our control). To test this hypothesis, we created a system to simulate growing plants in a low-gravity environment. To keep the growth of each sample consistent, we used tubing connected to a water pump to supply the same amount of

water to each plant. We connected an automated timer to our growth lights to ensure that our plants have a sufficient amount of light, even when we are not present.

and our controlled variable is the amount of water given to the plant, the amount of light, and the type of fertilizer. Our hypothesis is that our bell peppers will grow best in the regolith by adding

higher counts of phosphorus and nitrogen via fertilizer additions – a 50% regolith to 50% fertilizer ratio. By ensuring that all of our variables are properly monitored, we hope our plants will give high yields.

Bell Peppers because they are cost effective and tasty when freshly grown. Our independent variable is the amount of fertilizer to soil ratio. Our dependent variable is the growth of the plants

and our controlled variable is the amount of water given to the plant, the amount of light, and the type of fertilizer. Our hypothesis is that our bell peppers will grow best in the regolith by adding

higher counts of phosphorus and nitrogen via fertilizer additions – a 50% regolith to 50% fertilizer ratio. By ensuring that all of our variables are properly monitored, we hope our plants will give high yields.

Water flows from the fish tank to the plants, where fish waste provides nutrients for plant growth. The water is then filtered through a rock-based system before being recirculated back to the fish tank, ensuring a sustainable nutrient cycle. This project aims to explore alternative growing methods, test the feasibility of Martian soil for plant growth, and improve water filtration efficiency in aquaponic systems.

Our experiment's hypothesis is:

The addition of Pseudomonas fluorescens (a bacteria) and minimal amounts of soil to

lunar regolith will catalyze growth of tomato and pea plants while adding minimal weight from additives for more efficient transport to future lunar bases.

Our variables are:

The bacteria Pseudomonas

fluorescens added to the soil mixture is being tested on its affectability in aiding in plant growth in lunar regolith making the soil composition with the bacteria the independent variable along

with the two different plant species. The plant growth metrics (biomass, height, leaf quality),fruit and vegetable production, plant health indicators (such as nutrient content and plant stress indicators) and soil characteristics (pH level, available phosphorous content) represent the

dependent variables.

Our hypothesis is that the fertilizer and microbes used as additives will have a significant impact on plant growth. Therefore, we would see higher growth of leaves and taller plants when both additives are used as compared to when additives are not used. To achieve our hypothesis, we are planting bush bean seeds as they have a short germination cycle. Bush beans sprout in 7-10 days, and matures in 55 days. Beans produce nitrogen and will restore nitrogen-deficient soil, so we are choosing a fertilizer low in nitrogen, 2-15-15.

Null Hypothesis: For the experiment, both types of lettuce will not grow in at least 50% lunar soil with the Water- soluble Potassium Nitrate as our fertilizer.

Variables:

Controls- Same hours of growing light or sun light, and same amount of water, same plants, same pot size, same fertilizer amount.

Independent variable- differences in soil amount in lunar and Earth soil ratio. 

Dependent variable- Plant growth, stem diameter, and fruit amounts

Positive control group- 2 pots having 100% normal soil, one pot having gourmet blend lettuce, the other having iceberg lettuce

Negative control group- 2 pots having 100% lunar soil, one pot having gourmet blend lettuce, the other having iceberg lettuce.

Design- We will have 14 pots 4 will be our negative and positive control group two will be for and the other will be lettuce, being 100% lunar soil for our negative and for positive 100% normal soil. Also one positive and negative group will have fertilizer while the other will not. As well as we can compare the results of the growth rates from positive and negative control groups to our other pots which will range from 50% of lunar soil to 90%; 5 experimental pots for iceberg lettuce and gourmet blend lettuce. As well as, we will double each pot and put two different types of seeds in them so we could see if there is a difference in growth with the two seeds. Along with keeping conditions the same, we will have a 12-hour lighting period for 5 days with grow lights, and the same amount of water for each cup which is 15 ml of water every 2 days; this is so we can mimic sunlight hours and rainfall inside the building. In addition, our soil is the potting mix then we will add .6 grams per 1000 ml of fertilizer which will be Water- soluble Potassium Nitrate to each of the pots, which will be diluted within water. On top of this, all the pots we were using will be 70g and in case of error it can be 0.1-0.2 above or below the 70g. We will use centimeters as a measurement of growth of the plant and will be our measurement of the stem, and due to the heat that might be produced by the light source we will compensate with more water. We will make sure that the seeds will germinate first then put them in the pot to have the best chance to grow in the mostly lunar soil. We will measure pH by the pH testing strips. As a result, we can see which lettuce would work best on lunar soil, with added amendments.

We believe this to be true as the "uber" fertilizer will be made specifically in order to give the correct elements for the radishes to grow. These elements are specifically phosphorus and potassium. We believe they will give the radish everything it needs to grow.

If it does give the radish everything needed to grow, we won’t need to bring other fertilizers, decreasing the mass brought to space. 

We have chosen to study if inoculants are able to decrease the amount of Earth soil needed for the same amount of plant growth. The less soil needed will decrease the mass of the soil transported. Moreover, the inoculants could increase the growth long-term because it could keep the soil nutrient filled. 

This will be the most effective method of growth because of all the benefits the fertilizer offers for the germination of the mint seed (Mentha spicata). A mix of 50 % regolith and 50% organic fertilizer produced from solid waste in a homemade biodigester will be the most effective way to grow mint plants.

The Plant the Moon Challenge experiment with Lunar Highlands Simulant (LHS-1) focuses on key parameters to evaluate plant growth in a simulated lunar environment. The growth medium will consist primarily of LHS-1 regolith simulant, supplemented with potential soil amendments and nutrient additives to enhance fertility. Crop selection will be based on species that demonstrate adaptability to respond to the day length and nutrient-poor soils, ensuring optimal germination and survival. A structured watering regimen will be maintained, considering factors like water source, irrigation frequency, and moisture retention in the regolith. The light condition of the moon and temperature conditions, exposure duration, and temperature regulation will be optimized under the plant growth chamber for better plant development. Throughout the experiment, growth monitoring will involve measuring plant height, leaf count, chlorophyll content, and root development, along with analyzing soil pH and nutrient levels before and after the study. A control group with normal soil will be maintained for comparison, while experimental groups will test different nutrient and hydration strategies. These parameters will help assess the viability of sustainable plant growth in lunar regolith, providing valuable insights for future space agriculture.

Independent variables:

·       Amendments: Manures, Fertilizers and Bioactive Compounds

·       Light: Day Length

Dependent variables:

·       Yield attributing characters

·       Yield attributing quality

Controls:

·       Lunar regolith without amendments and fertilizers

·       Earth soil

·       Natural light

Project hypothesis or Aim:

         The project's hypothesis is to test the growth and yield improvement of spinach by using soil amendments and altering day length. The study’s major goal is to establish a healthy crop and overcome the establishment and growth issues in lunar regolith.

       The primary goal of this research is to develop a better strategy for increasing spinach growth and yield in lunar soil. One of the driving questions is whether the amendments and day length are effective as a potential solution for the saline issue of lunar soil as the driving research force.

Experimental design and procedures:

     The experimental pots are placed in a controlled plant growth chamber and shade net house. The amendments and fertilizer are to be added during sowing. The amendments and microbial consortia may help to improve the soil quality, such as soil porosity, bulk density, organic matter content, salinity, and alkalinity of the soil. The pH, nutrient content, and microbial growth would be monitored using the prescribed method. Soil pH and crop growth will be monitored weekly. Statistical reports will be examined at the end of the growing phase. Sufficient pots will be maintained for the lunar soil and earth soil.

Crop selection:

   In previous experiments, data and histograms showed that sodium chloride (NaCl) negatively affected all growth parameters, including seed germination, plant length, number of leaves, plant strength, root number, root length, and survival percentage, with a significant reduction across all treatments. As NaCl concentration increased, seed germination percentage and plant growth rate decreased, leading to lower survival rates. To address this, the soil composition was altered with modified amendments (50% Lunar Highlands Simulant - LHS-1 + 50% organic amendments) and altered day length to improve plant viability.

     For this experiment, we selected spinach (Spinacia oleracea) as the crop to be grown. In each pot, 15 healthy seeds were sown for uniform growth. Immediately after sowing, 100 ml of distilled water was applied to initiate germination and ensure adequate hydration. This setup will help analyze the adaptability of spinach to the lunar regolith simulant and evaluate its growth potential under controlled conditions.

Plants grown with Miracle Grow plant food will have a significantly faster growth rate than the other plant food growth rate.

and soil integration. The regolith simulates extraterrestrial soil, which is devoid of organic matter and lacks essential nutrients for plant growth. The study aims to understand how to modify or

enhance regolith to support plant life, which is critical for future off-Earth colonization or agricultural efforts.

We are 𝑮𝒊𝒓𝒍𝒔 𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝑪𝒐𝒅𝒆 – 𝑻𝒐𝒂 𝑩𝒂𝒋𝒂, 𝑷𝒖𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒐 𝑹𝒊𝒄𝒐, and we’re taking innovation beyond Earth! 🌎✨ Our mission? To prove that lettuce can thrive on the Moon using a game-changing approach: organic nutrients + smart technology!

💡 𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝑯𝒚𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔: The best way to grow lettuce in lunar soil is by enriching it with horse manure, enhancing nutrient availability and structure. If astronauts ever crave fresh greens on the Moon, our research could make it happen! 🚀🥗

🔬 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕:

✔️ Lunar regolith simulant + horse manure = optimized soil.

✔️ Micro:bit-powered moisture sensor = precise hydration control.

👩‍💻 𝑻𝒆𝒄𝒉 𝑴𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝑨𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆!

We coded our Micro:bit system to monitor soil moisture in real-time, ensuring our plants get the perfect amount of water. This fusion of science, coding, and sustainability brings us one step closer to growing food on the Moon! 🌙🚀

✨ 𝑮𝒊𝒓𝒍𝒔 𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝑪𝒐𝒅𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒐𝒐𝒏 – 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒖𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒂 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆! 🌱💻

Hypothesis : Given the inhospitable properties of Martian regolith for plant growth, our aim is to investigate the potential of transforming Martian soil into a fertile medium through the application of 50 % purely organic amendments, biofertilizers, and microorganisms with 50% mars regolith. Specifically, we propose to utilize carbon nanotubes and biochar as amendments to mitigate the high levels of heavy metals present in Martian regolith, and subsequently evaluate their efficacy in enhancing soil fertility and plant growth.

Variables: Independent variables comprises organic manures, carbon nanotube, biofertilizers. Dependent Variables are plant growth, yield, root development, secondary metabolites, nutrient level in soil. Control variable is mars regolith without any treatments. Ultimately, the result will determine the viability of growing basil in Martian soil, providing valuable insights into the potential for cultivating crops in Martian regolith.

Historically, astronauts have found that they have a hard time wanting to eat all the food needed to support their nutrition.  In weightlessness, the body moves food differently through the digestive system and makes astronauts feel full before they have consumed the total quantity of their meal. For our experiments we were trying to offer the astronauts living on the Moon a variety of added Earth type nutrient rich whole foods to supplement the freeze-dried foods that would be transported to the Moon station from Earth. While the Earth food tastes good and provides for proper nutritional needs, adding fresh and raw vegetables to the diet would help astronauts want to eat more because of the fresh items providing better taste, and enhanced nutrition. 

"Novelty is definitely an issue," says Brungs. "Astronauts who are in space for just six months miss crunchiness and texture. It is really important for mental wellbeing to have a variety of textures, and especially for deep space missions, having a variety of foods to eat."

Experimental Parameters:

Experimental plants are tomato, spinach, bell pepper, and lettuce will be placed in either 100% organic soil (control), a 50/50 mixture of simulant for Moon regolith and soil, or an 80/20 mixture of simulant/soil. The plants with be monitored twice a week for growth over the 8 week growing period of the competition. Grow lights will be the illumination for the plants and an automated water system will automatically water the plants. These lights will be turned on for 12 hours a day and then off for 12 hours a day. The whole area containing the plants and grow lights will be covered with sheet plastic to keep in the moisture. The plastic will securely cover the growing area but not be tightly sealed to the bottom of the containers holding the pots to allow the plants to breathe. The watering system allows for each individual plant to receive the same amount of water for each pot.   

Once planted, the seeds will be monitored for growth every Monday and Thursday of each week. The following parameters will be measured for each plant

pH of soil (0-14)

Light (0 – 1000 LUM)

Moisture (red/yellow/green)

Height of plant, mm

Thickness of stem, mm

Leaf size, mm

Pictures will be taken each day measurements are made to indicate plant growth and health over time. Notes will be made also in the data table of any issues with plant health and any adjustments that are made to these protocols.

When conducting experiments to assess crop growth in Mars simulant soil, the independent variable includes the soil composition. The addition of soil amendments such as organic compost or biofertilizers to enhance nutrient availability.

The dependent variables are the plant growth parameters such as germination rate, plant height, and leaf number would serve as key dependent variables.

To maintain experimental integrity, several control variables such as light intensity and duration, ensure that all plants receive the same amount of photosynthetically active radiation to prevent variations in growth due to differing light exposure. Temperature and humidity are also regulated to simulate optimal conditions for plant development. Water availability remains consistent to prevent variations in soil moisture levels from affecting plant growth independently of the manipulated soil composition. Additionally, fertilizer application and nutrient supplementation are controlled to isolate the effects of Mars simulant soil on plant health.

By carefully managing these variables, the experiment can provide valuable insights into the feasibility of growing these crops in Martian soil and contribute to the future of space agriculture research.

Our project focuses on growing gandules (pigeon peas) in lunar regolith simulant to explore the challenges of space agriculture. We designed an experiment to evaluate plant growth and adaptation in this extreme environment, simulating conditions astronauts may face in future lunar missions.

By carefully monitoring water intake, light exposure, and plant development, we aim to contribute valuable insights into sustaining life beyond Earth.

Lopez High School, Aguada, Puerto Rico.

Our experimental design is based on studying where beans grow best, which are a food source rich in protein and carbohydrates. Prior the planting process we prepared composts. This compost was made with uncooked waste such as root vegetable husks, coffee, eggshells, among others. We add regular soil to this compost.

The experimental design compares the controls with two different proportions of

composted soil and regolith. In addition, the pots have perlite in the same quantity,

which provides aeration to the soil.

Based on this, our hypothesis is that in soil with 50% regolith/50% compost/perlite, the

plants will grow better and provide better fruits compared to regolith alone.

Our independent variables are: Proportion of 25% regolith/75%compost/perlite and 50% regolith/50%compost/perlite for the

two experimental groups.

Dependent variables are: plant height, average number of pods, average number of seeds in the pods, physical appearance of the plants, leaf color and plant health.

Controls: lunar regolith, compost soil

Environmental and controlled variables that can affect the outcome: grams of perlite in each container, amount of water according to soil humidity, controlled environment, controlled lighting according to type of light and hours of exposure.

with NASA efforts in its research.

Our experimental design is based on studying where beans grow best, which are a food source rich in protein and carbohydrates. We have been preparing composts since December. This compost is made with uncooked waste such as root vegetable husks, coffee, eggshells, among others. We add regular soil to this compost.

The experimental design compares the controls with two different proportions of

composted soil and regolith. In addition, the pots have perlite in the same amount,

which provides aeration to the soil.

Based on this, our hypothesis is that in soil with 50% regolith/50% compost/perlite, the

plants will grow better and provide better fruits compared to regolith alone.

Our independent variables: Proportion of 25%regolith/75%compost/perlite and 50% regolith/50%compost/perlite for the

two experimental groups.

Dependent variables: plant height, average number of pods, average number of seeds

in the pods, physical appearance of the plants, leaf color and plant health.

Controls: 100%Regolith and 100% compost soil

Variables in control are: grams of perlite in each container, amount of water according to soil humidity, controlled place, controlled lighting according to type of light and hours of exposure.

What is the effect of a germinating seed planted in lunar regolith when it is directly exposed to a wave generator at Schumann frequency, '7.83 hz. the frequency of the earth's heartbeat'?

This approach led us to ask ourselves before the Challenge; What if integrating terrestrial geophysics into the equation was the key to completing the vital aspects of a transplanetary seeding?

This would be our proposal: to bet on a sowing technique, based on enhancing each of the elemental aspects (including the geophysical one), to facilitate a developing seed, its full vitality.

Our team has decided to investigate if pumpkin seeds can grow in a mix soil composition (50 % Earth soil +50% regolith) using a natural fertilizer made of banana peel. This kind of fertilizer can provide organic nutrients, such as potassium, that would be helpful for the seeds growing process.

Growing mushrooms in lunar regolith

Hypothesis:

We consider that if a mixture of earth soil, regolith and manure is used; spinach will show the greatest grow compared to lettuce and mint. Due to its higher tolerance for harsh soil conditions, efficient nutrient uptake, and enrichment of nitrogenous compounds because of the addition of fertilizer based on manure.

Independent Variable:

Type of crop – spinach, lettuce, mint

Dependent Variables:

pH

b. moist

c. plant heigh – measured in cm

d. leaf length – measured in mm

Control Variables:

a. Amount of water – 30mL – plants will be watered trice a week

b. Natural Light

c. Mixture - Earth soil (40%) / regolith (30%) / manure (30%) mixture ratio

d. Seed depth – 15 mm

The most effective environment for the germination of spinach plant (Spinacia oleracea) will be 50% soil, 50% regolith and ashes mixed into.

Experimental Group A: 2 pots with 50% regolith and 50% soil.

Experimental Group B: 2 pots with 50% regolith, 20% soil and 20% organic fertilizer.

Experimental Group C: 2 pots with 50% regolith, 40% soil, and 10% organic fertilizer.

Trial 1: 2 cup moon soil, 1 cup fertilizer

Trial 2: 2 cup moon soil, 1 cup coco coir

Trial 3: 2 cup moon soil, 1 cup fertilizer, 1 cup coco coir

Trial 4: 1 cup moon soil

Our other independent variable is the amount of water given to each plant. Within the trials, there are two planting pots. One of which receives 1 ounce of water, one 3/4 ounces of water, and one 1/2 ounce of water. Trial 4 is the only exception, with one potted plant receiving 1 ounce of water.

The plants are subjected to watering twice a week, with 12 hours of sunlight each day.

We aim to see which soil composition and water amount is best for turnip growth.

The experiment will involve planting spinach in two different experimental soil mixtures. The first mixture will consist of 50% moon regolith and 50% potting soil. The second mixture will also consist of 50% moon regolith and 50% potting soil, but will include the addition of two-three worms. Each of these experimental conditions will have three replicates, totaling six experimental pots.

Throughout the experiment, we manipulate several independent variables, including soil composition, light exposure, plant species, fertilizer type, and temperature. The dependent variable in our study is the soil pH during plant growth, which serves as an indicator of soil health and plant adaptability.

The chosen crops are nutrient-dense and highly adaptable to new environments, making them potential candidates for sustainable lunar agriculture. Our research aims to contribute to the development of self-sustaining food systems for future lunar missions, ensuring astronauts have access to a nutritious and balanced diet while living on the Moon.

• Independent variable: the concentration of Vit C (.25g/L, .5g/L, 1g/L)

• Process of the experiment: use Vit C solution to condition the soil 10mL each time periodically

• Why Vit C: Vit C could react with the perchlorates while causing less harm to the plant (a reducing agent, could reduce perchlorates using iron III ion as a catalyst in acidic conditions). Vit C costs less to transport to Mars.

• Used lettuce in this case (I got bird flu so didn't really took care of the seedlings)

This research aims to foster renewable lunar agriculture, which could sustain lunar colonists, allow the world long-term access to the Moon's vast resources, and ensure the astronaut's survival by sustaining plant life in the lunar regolith, giving them access to clean water and air.

We are excited to be Planting the Moon!

Crop: radishes

Treatments:

Control (negative)

Control (positive) – potting mix

Control (positive) – potting mix + fertilizer

Control (positive) – potting mix + earthworm castings + vermiculite

Control (positive) – potting mix + tapioca pearls

Treatment – Mars soil + earthworm castings + vermiculite

Treatment – Mars soil + tapioca pearls + fertilizer

Dependent variables: plant height, leaf number, root mass, and overall plant health.

Our team's plant is Korean Perilla (Perilla frutescens), known for its adaptability to a wide pH range.

We use eggshells, a traditional natural fertilizer in Korea, to enrich the nutrient-deficient, alkaline lunar soil. Additionally, vinegar is added to regulate pH. By comparing growth rates, including leaf size, we aim to determine whether these additives enhance plant development in lunar regolith.

Seeds are first germinated hydroponically in germination trays. The reason for doing this is that, although the initial speed of germination rate may be slow, it increases the likelihood that all seeds will sprout. In lunar plant cultivation, each seed holds significant value. This is a strategy to maximize the harvest.

Independent Variables:

Addition of 1% Xanthan Gum Solution

Dependent Variables:

1. Tier 0: Water retention (ml)

2. Tier 1: Plant height (cm), stem diameter (mm), leaf count, days to germinate, days to maturity

3. Tier 2: Weight of the plant at the end of the growth period (g), max-leaf area (cm²), leaf color.

4. Tier 3: Chlorophyll Content (µmol/cm²) and Plant hormone levels (abscisic acid, Gibberellins, Cytokines

Control Variables:

1. Plant type: Cherry Belle Radish

2. Environmental Factors (Light, Temperature, Humidity) are kept constant by storing plants in a greenhouse

3. 15 ml of water twice a day

4. Clay Pots

5. 70% Lunar Regolith, 30% Miracle-Gro Potting Mix

The Gibbous Gardners decided to take on the task of developing an experiment that would test the amendment of a powdered perennial herb, called comfrey, to simulated lunar regolith to see if it enhanced plant growth. We chose this topic because lunar soil lacks nutrients and other components that Earth Soil contains, making it difficult to support plant life. When humans do colonize the moon, they will need a source of nutrition that is reliable and renewable due to the excessive cost of transporting food to the moon. We originally thought of growing the comfrey herb but seeds at this time of the year are hard to attain. The powdered root and dried leaves are easy to obtain so we decided to grow radishes since they have several health benefits and are also a good food source.

We will be testing comfreys ability to improve lunar soil for planting vegetables. The vegetable we chose to plant was radishes. Radish plants have many benefits to humans too! They are a nutrient-rich and versatile vegetable with numerous health benefits, not mention, they make a great addition to salads!

Our hypothesis is ifcomfrey root powder is added to radishes planted in lunar soil, then the overall growth of the plant will increase. Our I.V. is the addition of comfrey powder to each of the pots with different percentages of simulated regolith to regular Earth soil

Our D.V. is  growth rate of plants in each pot

Our Control is the pot with 100 percent simulated regolith

Our setup is on this table near these large windows in the classroom.  We have started they plants in biodegradable pots.  We used a kitchen measuring cup to measure out the percentage of earth soil to the simulated regolith in each pot.  

The environmental conditions such as temperature, light, type of soil,  amount of water, size of pots are the same for each of the pots

WE ARE GROWING THE MOON!

Extra information: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGfNVPepJ4/kIe1uyFZUYsOcDWQPWhS_w/edit?utm_content=DAGfNVPepJ4&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

 We hypothesize different additives, such as sphagnum moss and coffee grounds, will affect the growth, size, and health of the radish and mint plants planted in moon dust.

greens crops. The variables are sand (0.5 - 2 mm), granules (4-6 mm), and pebbles (10-30 mm).

We have chosen to test which natural fertizlier grows the plants faster alongside how much chlorophyll they contain which is related to the overall plant health. We will also be testing if the Mint or the Spinach grew better under the same fertizliers. To measure the growth of the plant we will be using rulers and chlorophyll levels will be measured using a Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD). We plan on using compost, algae fertilzier, worm castings and having control pots that dont have any fertizlier. All pots will contain 50% of moon dust, receive the same amount of water and sunlight.

                   They are not change in the variables, the condition still same with relation in the last report, only one of ten plants are not growing, in the middle time I notice that the third plant which growth, have better results respect with the other plants.
   I do not see problems with the experiment or the environment.

We believe the mint will grow faster than lettuce, spinach or pinto beans. In the first two weeks we saw no growth at all. We realized that the plant was not getting enough sunlight. We moved the plants under a heating lamp and gave it water. The next week we saw growth but the mint plant did not grow at all. The pinto bean plant grew the most.

Final Video

Five pots were used for planting. Pots 1 through 4 contained a mixture of 60% lunar soil and 40% potting soil by volume. Pot 5 served as the control and held 100% potting soil. The additives, NPK fertilizer (2-15-15 ratio) and "TPS Billions of Microbes for Plants" (TPS Billions), were applied to the respective pots. Each pot received a total of 5 ounces of water weekly, based on prior research for optimal bush bean growth.

The results indicated that both additives had a significant positive impact on bush bean growth in lunar soil. However, TPS Billions of Microbes, which contains five strains of Bacillus bacteria, four strains of Mycorrhizae, and one strain of Trichoderma, proved to be more effective.

Conclusion

We found that bush beans, radishes, and beets grow better in a higher concentration of cow manure. We also found that bush beans grew significantly better than radishes and beets. We know that the beets and radishes, preferring softer soils to easily expand their roots, therefore had trouble growing in the dense and tough lunar regolith. In addition, compared to coconut fiber, the cow manure produced an abundance of necessary nutrients for all three plant types, leading to better overall growth. The increase in growth was particularly pronounced in bush beans. We hypothesize that this was caused by the abundance of nitrogen fixing bacteria found in cow manure. Bush beans rely on the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen fixing bacteria to grow properly, and the decreased availability of such bacterias in coconut fibers would slow the growth. If we were to add to this project we would collect the beans and compare their chemical content to that of beans grown on earth to be sure they were edible. To conclude, bush beans are a practical option for growth in moon regolith, especially when the regolith is mixed with cow manure. If we were to add to this project we would collect the beans and compare their chemical content to that of beans grown on earth to be sure they were edible.

Bell Peppers because they are cost effective and tasty when freshly grown. Our independent

variable is the amount of fertilizer to soil ratio. Our dependent variable is the growth of the plants

and our controlled variable is the amount of water given to the plant, the amount of light, and the

type of fertilizer. Our hypothesis is that our bell peppers will grow best in the regolith by adding

higher counts of phosphorus and nitrogen via fertilizer additions – a 50% regolith to 50%

fertilizer ratio. By ensuring that all of our variables are properly monitored, we hope our plants

will give high yields.

beans and buckwheat are cultivated together, the growth of both plants will be enhanced and

result in an increased yield of both. In addition, the driving research questions are as follows:

Will the buckwheat and mung beans exhibit a mutualistic relationship if grown together?

The findings of the buckwheat and mung bean experiment, while statistically

non-significant due to the limitations of a small sample size, offer preliminary insights into the

growth dynamics of buckwheat and mung beans when cultivated together in a 50/50 mixture of

regolith and potting soil. The consistent growth trends observed between the monoculture and

mixed-culture groups for both species (as supported by the non-significant p-values of 0.9318 for

buckwheat and 0.086 for mung beans) suggest that a mutualistic relationship was not evident.

However, the successful cultivation of buckwheat and mung beans in lunar regolith demonstrates

that lunar regolith, with modifications, can serve as a viable growth medium for these plants.

of bok choy. We hypothesize that a higher fertilizer-to-regolith ratio will produce higher yield and

more effective growth. We used samples (three of each) with different fertilizer-to-regolith ratios,

including 50/50, 35/65, 25/75, 15/85, and 0/100 (our control). To test this hypothesis, we created

a system to simulate growing plants in a low-gravity environment. To keep the growth of each

sample consistent, we used tubing connected to a water pump to supply the same amount of

water to each plant. We connected an automated timer to our growth lights to ensure that our

plants have a sufficient amount of light, even when we are not present.

LHS-1E with foliar fertilizer yielded the greatest leaf expansion. In contrast, 100% LHS-1E consistently showed poor growth across metrics. The findings highlight the importance of substrate modification and targeted nutrient delivery for optimizing plant growth in extraterrestrial environments. These insights contribute to advancing sustainable lunar agriculture and space-based food systems.

The "Plant the Moon" project was a scientific exploration into the feasibility of growing crops under simulated extraterrestrial conditions. This experiment allowed us to assess how a range of factors, including seed type, soil composition, and controlled environmental conditions, influenced plant growth. Our team chose basil and radishes due to their short germination periods, ensuring a measurable output over the course of the experiment. By incorporating simulated lunar regolith (moon dust) and cow manure into the potting mix, we aimed to understand how plants might thrive in nutrient-poor environments.

In this experiment, we investigated how the moon simulant would affect the growth of lettuce for a future where we could sustain life on the moon. The study was designed using two control variables and then different mixtures of the lunar simulant and the soil to determine how much the moon regolith affected the growth of lettuce.

Fertilization in Simulated Extraterrestrial Environments

This research project aimed to investigate how varying amounts of bone meal fertilizer

affect the growth of radish plants in a soil mixture containing 50% lunar soil simulant and 50% standard potting soil. 

The research question is: What is the optimal amount of water needed for lettuce to grow best in a mixture of lunar regolith and vermicompost?

The hypothesis states that Lettuce plants receiving a moderate amount of water (32 mL per week) will show the best growth and development compared to those given more or less water.

Boosting Watermelon Growth: The impact of seaweed fertilizer (Ascophyllum nodosum) as bio stimulant using lunar regolith-soil blends

PROJECT AIM

The aim of the investigation was to determine whether different concentrations of seaweed fertilizer (A. nodosum) and different soil and lunar regolith mixes had any effect on the growth and foliage of the watermelon plants(C.lanatus).

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND PROCEDURES

Ten pots were prepared with different soil mixes according to the experimental design. The control group A (A1, A2) had Douglas Candelario’s soil brand 100%, while the experimental groups varied in their composition. Group B (B1, B2) and group C (C1, C2) had a substrate composed of 30% Douglas Candelario’s soil brand, 10% perlite, and 60% lunar regolith. Group D (D1, D2) and group E (E1, E2) used a mixture of 45% Douglas Candelario potting mix, 5% perlite, and 50% lunar regolith. Each pot was filled with its respective mix, and three seeds were planted at the same depth. The weakest plants were cut, keeping the strongest in each pot. Once the plants sprouted, a syringe was placed next to each plant to serve as a tube for irrigation, and 40 mL of distilled water was poured into the syringe every other day for all pots. The syringe helped prevent hardening of the soil-regolith mix. A UV lamp with an automatic timer was placed to ensure 12 hours of daily light. The experimental group (pots B1, B2, D1, D2) received 20 mL of a 0.39% soluble seaweed solution twice a week, and pots C1, C2, E1, E2 received 20 mL of the same solution once a week. The seaweed fertilizer was applied using the syringe irrigation method described above. The control group received 30 mL of distilled water every other day. Plant growth was measured for height, number of leaves and flowers, pH, and humidity over a period of 8 weeks. Finally, the data were analyzed using statistical software to assess how soil composition and application of the seaweed solution affected plant growth and yield.

While exploring alternative crops, we chose chia seeds for their practical benefits. These small seeds are recognized as a nutritional powerhouse, rich in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, antioxidants, and essential minerals. In addition to their health advantages, chia seeds are highly versatile and easily incorporated into various dishes, such as smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, and puddings, or used as natural thickeners for meals, making them a convenient and nutritious enhancement to any diet.

The purpose of the experiment is to investigate the growth patterns of chia seeds cultivated in various compositions of regolith and soil within a controlled environment to assess their viability for cultivation during space missions. Given their rapid growth rate and substantial nutritional value, chia seeds may become a critical component of sustainable food systems for long-term space travel.

Hypothesis: 

The optimal composition for cultivating chia in a mixture of soil and regolith for this project and lunar agriculture will involve plants 6, 7, 8, or 9. A greater proportion of regolith in the ratio will be advantageous, as astronauts will have increased access to lunar soil compared to terrestrial soil. In this situation, the likelihood of success for the plant exceeds that of plant 10 due to its exposure to a greater abundance of nutrients in the soil. 

The final report is that all of the plants died except one, which was the mixture of the lunar and earth soil(75% lunar and 25% earth soil). All of the plants died because of the temperature fluctuation in the room where we had the plants. Additionally, we had very bad weather with a lot of cloudy days, so we think that may have impacted the plants too. In the beginning, we were doing very well; even our teacher, Ms. Bosiak, said that she could not believe that our 100% lunar on both tests and control were still alive and doing very well. Still, in the end, we were not able to keep them alive due to the fluctuation of the temperature in the school building. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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

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.

      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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.