Researcher Tests Chickpea Growth in Simulated Lunar Soil with Fungi

Jessica Atkin, a researcher at Texas A&M University, received a NASA grant to continue experiments on growing chickpeas in simulated lunar soil. Her tests combine lunar regolith simulant with organic matter and fungi to improve plant survival. Atkin began the project at home in 2020 after NASA requested more preliminary data.

She later moved the work into university laboratories and used volcanic rock simulant that matches planned Artemis landing sites.

Atkin selected chickpeas because they supply protein and recruit helpful microbes. The plants tolerate low water and perform under stress. Lunar regolith presents multiple obstacles. Its sharp, charged grains damage plant tissue and form a cement-like layer when watered, cutting off oxygen to roots. The material also contains high aluminum levels that stunt growth.

A University of Florida team previously grew thale cress in actual Apollo regolith samples. Atkin’s work adds microorganisms, which earlier studies largely omitted. In her trials, chickpeas germinated faster in the amended regolith than in terrestrial soil.

Plants still showed stress and produced fewer seeds. Seeds are now being tested at Pennsylvania State University for toxicity. Atkin stated that sending one pound of material to the moon can cost up to $100,000, making large-scale soil transport impractical.

Future bases will rely on prepackaged meals and hydroponics while researchers develop in-situ growing methods.