Wageningen - For every astronaut who has the hope to live on Mars, growing food crops in the parched soil of the red planet that became one of the important things in order to meet the needs of their daily lives.
Currently, the researchers have shown that growing vegetables in the Martian soil may be to do. Not only that, food was also safe for consumption.
Scientists at Wageningen Univeristy, the Netherlands, was able to harvest 10 plants in soil that is similar to the characteristics of Martian soil with abundant results, including radishes, peas, tomatoes, lettuce, arugula, and rye
Based on trial results, these plants do not contain heavy metals up to dangerous levels. It shows, astronauts are likely to imitate Mark Watney in the film The Martian, who managed to grow plants on Mars.
Although not use land that comes directly from Mars, the researchers mix multiple types of soil Earth that resemble what is found on the red planet.
An ecologist at Wageningen University, Wieger Wamelink said the results of their tests superb and very promising.
"We really can eat radishes, peas, wheat, and tomatoes, and I am very curious what it's like," said Wamelink.
Quoted by the Daily Mail, Sunday (26/6/3016), the researchers report growing in a greenhouse with temperature, humidity, and constant light, where they use the Earth's atmosphere.
"This was done because we hope that the first plants to grow on Mars and the moon will be done in the basement to protect the plant from a hostile environment, including cosmic radiation," said Wamelink.
NASA and other international space agencies hope to send humans to Mars in 2030 in the long term. A billionaire named Elon Musk and the Dutch company Mars One, also plans to create a colony on the red planet.
Therefore, future Mars settlers are expected to meet the basic needs of their own, one of which grow vegetables.
It is a challenge, because the Martian soil known to contain heavy metals, such as lead, arsenic, and mercury.
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