Growing Carrots Beyond Earth: Effects of Simulated Lunar Soil Mixtures on the Germination and Early Growth of Daucus carota
Plants and the Environment- Grade:
- 8
- Teacher:
- Shermaine Dela Rosa
This experiment investigated how varying percentages of simulated lunar soil affect the germination and early growth of carrot plants (Daucus carota). Ten pots were prepared with soil mixtures ranging from 0% to 100% lunar soil, and plant height and leaf development were measured over a fixed growth period. Our results showed that all carrot seeds germinated, even in 100% simulated lunar soil. However, moderate lunar soil mixtures (30%–70%) produced the tallest and most consistent plants, while high lunar soil percentages (80%–100%) showed greater variability in growth. Leaf development corresponded with plant height, indicating active photosynthesis and healthy early growth. The average final height across all treatments was 3.02 cm. Based on these findings, we rejected the null hypothesis and accepted the alternative hypothesis, concluding that lunar soil percentage affects carrot growth. This study demonstrates that carrot plants can grow in lunar soil simulants when combined with Earth soil, providing insights into sustainable food production for future space missions. Additionally, this project encourages STEM learning by promoting hands-on scientific inquiry, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, while inspiring curiosity about space agriculture and extraterrestrial sustainability.