A group of scientists at the University of Florida have grown plants using a collected soil from the moon, an important discovery for future human staycation on the moon.
A NASA-funded research study uses samples of dust collected during the 1969-1972 Apollo mission had successfully grow a type of cress.
"We'll need to use resources found on the Moon and Mars to develop food sources for future astronauts living and operating in deep space," Nelson said.
Much to their surprise, the seeds sprouted after two days - an implications for plants growing in harsh conditions on Earth.
In the study, a seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana - a plant related to mustard greens, including vegetables such broccoli and cauliflower were planted in lunar soil, from missions Apollo 11,12 and 17.
"We planted them, walked away for a couple of days and then when we first went back in to take a look, it was amazing to see that every plant group, all the seedlings germinated," said Paul, who is also the director for the University of Florida's Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research.
"This research is critical to Nasa's long-term human exploration goals as we'll need to use resources found on the Moon and Mars to develop food sources for future astronauts living and operating in deep space," said Nasa chief Bill Nelson.
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