Brit scientists over the Moon after tea grown in lunar soil

""As part of a study into how the astronauts of tomorrow could sustain themselves for long periods of living and working on the Moon, researchers from the University of Kent have demonstrated how it's possible to grow tea in lunar soil. Led by Professor Nigel Mason of Kent's School of Physics and Astronomy and Dr Sara Lopez-Gomollon of the university's School of Biosciences,""

""The results of this project are very encouraging, as they demonstrate that a tea, a crop, can be grown in lunar soils," said Dr Lopez-Gomollon. "Our next step is to better understand the physiology of the plant under these conditions, so we can improve growth and ideally translate these findings to other crops." "We are at the very earliest stages of research into space agriculture but it is reassuring that we may be able to provide access to the great British tradition of a tea break," added Professor Mason."

Tea saplings were planted in soil simulants designed to mimic lunar and Martian surfaces and were exposed to controlled temperature, humidity, and lighting conditions representative of space environments. Saplings in lunar soil took root and flourished, establishing growth comparable to a terrestrial control, while saplings in Martian soil failed to grow. The findings indicate that crop cultivation in lunar regolith is feasible under managed conditions. Follow-up work will investigate plant physiology in those environments to improve growth and adapt methods for other crops. Results carry implications for both space agriculture and terrestrial soil management.

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