Life on Maris Piper
Experts grow potatoes in sub-zero atmosphere Mars explorers will encounter
SCIENTISTS have grown a potato plant in the harsh conditions human explorers will find on Mars.
Researchers in Peru say their work could feed future space explorers.
The experiment mirrored the story in 2015 film The Martian, in which stranded astronaut Matt Damon grew tatties on the red planet to survive.
Peruvian astrobiologist Julio Valdivia is working with Nasa on the project. He said: “It’s not only about bringing potatoes to Mars, but also finding a potato that can resist non-cultivable areas on Earth.”
The domesticated potato originated in Peru.
Scientists at the International Potato Centre in Lima began by testing 65 varieties in soil brought from terrain that gets less than 1mm of rain a year.
They planted seed potatoes in a simulator with a low-pressure, high carbon dioxide atmosphere and sub-zero temperatures. The plants got the same amount of light and dark as on Mars. Just four sprouted from the soil.
Then they planted one of the toughest varieties in the simulator with the soil – Mars has no organic soil – replaced by crushed rock and a nutrient solution.
A bud from a “super potato” variety called Unique sprouted and grew several leaves.
The third stage will see their techniques refined in conditions even closer to those on Mars. IT LOOKS like a nice day at the beach for any car-loving kid – a bucket and spade and a Tonka truck.
But the motor is no toy. It’s a full-size Toyota Hilux kitted out as a Tonka to celebrate the two brands’ reputations for toughness. Tonka turn 70 this year while Toyota hit 80. Charity the Diana Award yesterday launched a campaign to inspire 20,000 acts of kindness this year to mark the 20th anniversary of Princess Di’s death.