Turning Martian Regolith into Soil: Testing Organic Waste for Sustainable Plant Growth
Ryan F. Rednick et al.
Martian regolith lacks the organic matter and microbial activity required to sustain plant growth, presenting a major challenge for bioregenerative agriculture in space. This study examined how organic waste amendments influenced the nutrient availability and microbial ecology of Martian regolith simulant (MGS-1). The researchers hypothesized that the addition of manure would enhance the simulant’s fertility and microbial diversity, improving its ability to support plant growth. Mizuna mustard (