Chinnannan, K.; Somagattu, P.; Yammanuru, H.; Nimmakayala, P.; Chakrabarti, M.; Reddy, U.K. Effects of Mars Global Simulant (MGS-1) on Growth and Physiology of Sweet Potato: A Space Model Plant. Plants2024, 13, 55.
Chinnannan, K.; Somagattu, P.; Yammanuru, H.; Nimmakayala, P.; Chakrabarti, M.; Reddy, U.K. Effects of Mars Global Simulant (MGS-1) on Growth and Physiology of Sweet Potato: A Space Model Plant. Plants 2024, 13, 55.
Chinnannan, K.; Somagattu, P.; Yammanuru, H.; Nimmakayala, P.; Chakrabarti, M.; Reddy, U.K. Effects of Mars Global Simulant (MGS-1) on Growth and Physiology of Sweet Potato: A Space Model Plant. Plants2024, 13, 55.
Chinnannan, K.; Somagattu, P.; Yammanuru, H.; Nimmakayala, P.; Chakrabarti, M.; Reddy, U.K. Effects of Mars Global Simulant (MGS-1) on Growth and Physiology of Sweet Potato: A Space Model Plant. Plants 2024, 13, 55.
Abstract
Growing food autonomously on Mars is challenging due to the Martian soil's low nutrient content and high salinity. Understanding how plants adapt and evaluating their nutritional attributes are pivotal for sustained Mars missions. This research delved into the regeneration, stress tolerance, and dietary metrics of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) across different Mars Global Simulant (MGS-1) concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 75%). In our greenhouse experiment, 75% MGS-1 concentration most significantly inhibited sweet potato growth, storage root biomass, and chlorophyll content. This concentration also elevated plant tissues' H2O2, proline, and ascorbic acid levels. Higher MGS-1 exposures (50 and 75%) notably boosted vital amino acids and sugar groups in the plant's storage roots. Yet, increased MGS-1 concentrations notably diminished the total C: N ratio and elemental composition in both vines and storage roots. In summary, sweet potato exhibited optimal growth, antioxidant properties, yield, and nutrient profiles at 25% MGS-1 exposure, compared to higher concentrations. This study underscores the need for future interventions, like nutrient enhancement and controlled metal accessibility, to render it a suitable plant for space-based studies.
Keywords
Mars Global Simulant; Stress tolerance; Antioxidant; Amino acids; Proline; Sugar classes
Subject
Environmental and Earth Sciences, Space and Planetary Science
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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