ISHS Acta Horticulturae 642: XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Horticulture, Art and Science for Life - The Colloquia Presentations
HORTICULTURE FOR MARS |
| Author: | R.M. Wheeler |
| Keywords: | life support, bioregenerative, closed ecological life support systems - CELSS, light, CO2, hydroponics, greenhouses, controlled environment horticulture |
| Abstract:
When humans venture beyond Earth orbit and on to Mars, horticulture will surely follow. Early missions would likely include small-scale plant growing systems to produce fresh vegetables and small fruits to supplement the space travelers' diet. As mission durations increase, so would the role of horticulture, where plants would provide an increasing proportion of food, oxygen, carbon dioxide removal, and water purification. In all cases, innovative horticultural technologies and approaches will be required. These would include the development of efficient electric lighting and/or solar collectors, innovative design and management concepts for greenhouses and growing modules, capabilities to manage temperature, humidity, and atmospheric composition (e.g., oxygen, carbon dioxide, ethylene, and total pressure), use of techniques to recycle and conserve water and nutrients, and incorporation of novel plant health monitoring concepts. As well, a successful horticultural effort on Mars would require new cultivars that are well suited for the constraints of Martian gardening. Meeting these needs will be challenging but could benefit terrestrial horticultural by inspiring novel technologies that are energy-efficient and miniaturized, as well as through increasing our fundamental understanding of crop physiology. | |
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