Fava bean plant performance and fertility dynamics in Mars regolith simulant-based substrates for space farming.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Plants are promising bioregenerators for long-term space missions. However, space cultivation will require fertile substrates based on in-situ available materials.

Methods

We assessed the response of fava bean (Vicia faba L. cv. 'Sfardella') to glasshouse cultivation on six substrates: pure MMS-1 Mars regolith simulant (R100), MMS-1 amended with green compost 70:30 v:v (R70C30), pure fluvial sand (S100), sand mixed with compost 70:30 v:v (S70C30), sandy-loam volcanic soil (VS), and clay red soil (RS). Plant physiological and growth parameters, nutritional and nutraceutical profile of seeds, and nutrient bioavailability in the substrates, before and after cultivation, were determined.

Results

Net photosynthesis was lower in plants in pure reg

SUBMITTER: Caporale AG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12556254 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature