Scientists Determine Which Crops Can Grow on the Moon

Scientists from the University of Kent have proven that tea can be grown in soil similar to that of the Moon. The experiment was conducted with the participation of the British tea plantation "Dartmoor Tea," the studio "Lightcurve Films," and the organization "Europlanet," reports Gazeta.ru. The results of the discovery were presented at the scientific conference "Space Agriculture Workshop" (SAW).

Tea seedlings were planted in soils simulating those of the Moon and Mars. The conditions were created to closely resemble extraterrestrial environments. The result was unexpected: tea seedlings took root in the lunar soil and grew almost as well as those planted in regular soil. However, the seedlings planted in Martian soil dried out.

“The results of the experiment indicate that in the future, when humans settle on the Moon, they will be able to grow tea and other crops to provide themselves with fresh food and even cultivate British tea,” said Professor Nigel Mason, the lead researcher.

Dr. Sara Lopes-Gomolyon added, “We have taken the first step by confirming that tea can be grown in lunar soil. The next step is to understand the physiology of plants under these conditions. This will help improve their growth and allow the experience to be applied to other crops.”