Scientists develop tiny rice plant that could feed first lunar colony

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Researchers are developing an historic project to design ultra-tiny, protein-filled rice that can grow in space. The Moon-Rice mission, spearheaded by the Italian Space Agency with the help of three universities, is developing crops capable of supporting life on prolonged space missions. The miniature rice crops have the potential to sustain astronauts and be used for future agriculture requirements on Earth, especially in harsh conditions.

Cultivating fresh produce in space is also important to the health and wellness of astronauts. Pre-packaged food does not contain vital vitamins, antioxidants, and fibers that can negatively affect human well-being. The Moon-Rice project is working to enhance the cultivation of a crop that is microgravity friendly, nutrient dense, and adapted to the needs of space travelers.

The group is working on solving the challenge of making “super-dwarf” varieties of rice that grow predictably in space. Scientists have identified mutant varieties of rice that grow only 10 cm tall, and they’re working on optimizing production and growth efficiency. They’re also investigating the possibility of enhancing the protein content of the rice by raising the proportion of protein-rich embryo relative to starch.

Generating microgravity on Earth is a complicated process, however, the team is using creative tactics to rotate the crops and imitate the effects of microgravity. Producing fresh produce is ultimately better tasting and looks better, but it also has great psychological benefits for astronauts. Observing plants grow can calm your mind and help create a sense of wellness that is so important for maintaining healthy physical and mental functioning in space.

The Moon-Rice project has ramifications far beyond space exploration. The technology can also be utilized for growing plants in controlled environments on Earth, such as the Arctic and Antarctica, deserts, or places that have physical constraints on space. By developing resilient crops for space, scientists are also working toward greater food security and sustainability for everyone on Earth.

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