Responsible Center: NASA KSC
Grant Monitor: Ruby, Anna Maria
Center Contact: 321-867-7065
annamaria.j.ruby@nasa.gov
Unique ID: 15500
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Solicitation / Funding Source: 2021 Space Biology NNH21ZDA001N-SBPS E.9: Plant Studies
Grant/Contract No.: 80NSSC23K0400
Project Type: GROUND
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| Space Biology Element: |
(1) Microbiology
(2) Plant Biology
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| Space Biology Cross-Element Discipline: |
None
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| Space Biology Special Category: |
(1) Bioregenerative Life Support |
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| Task Description: |
A critical component to long-duration deep space exploration, specifically on Mars, is developing self-sustainable in situ food production and life support systems. To accomplish this task, it will be necessary to understand how to integrate plant-microbe systems optimally with planetary in situ resources. The overarching goal of this proposed Early Career pilot study is to develop and assess an integrated system approach for pre-conditioning and structing Martian regolith into agriculturally stable and usable soil to support plant growth, sustain microbe-plant interactions, minimize plant stress, and optimize food production and life support. As a part of this study, we will test a microbial consortium derived from a natural perchlorate-reducing system as a pre-inoculant for mitigating perchlorate toxins in Martian regolith simulant. We will also evaluate the phased approach of introducing pioneer species and plant-beneficial micro-organisms as an intermediate structure building step for transforming Martian regolith into a viable agricultural substrate that will reduce plant stress and increase seed germination rates and overall biomass production. The results of this study will pave the way for long-term sustainable crop production in a Martian habitat. |
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