The International Potato Center based in Lima (Peru) has carried out a series of experiments to discover if potatoes could grow under the atmospheric conditions of Mars, as demonstrated in the film El Marciano. The latest experiment, in which a potato was planted that simulated the same temperature, air pressure, oxygen and carbon dioxide that currently exists on Mars, began on February 14, 2016. The CubeSat , the airtight container in which carried out the experiment, it has given really positive results , because the cameras installed inside the container show the growth of the roots of the new potatoes.
The “Potatoes on Mars” project was conceived by the International Potato Center (IPC) to understand how potatoes could grow in a Martian environment and also see how they survive in similar extreme conditions in other parts of our world that are already experiencing climate change .
“If the crops can tolerate the extreme conditions that we are exposing to them in our CubeSat, they have a good chance of growing on Mars. We will do several rounds of experiments to find out which varieties of leg are best grown and what are the minimum conditions that a potato needs. to survive, “said Julio Valdivia-Silva, who also belongs to the project.
How CubeSat works
The CubeSat houses a hermetically sealed ambient container, which provides nutrient-rich water, controls temperature for day and night conditions on Mars, and mimics Martian air, oxygen and carbon dioxide pressure levels. Sensors constantly monitor these conditions and live streaming cameras record every movement on the experimental ground.
From the initial experiment, IPC scientists concluded that future missions to Mars that want to grow potatoes will have to prepare the soil with a loose structure and nutrients, to allow the tubers to get enough air and water to grow properly.
Regardless of its implications for Mars missions, the experiments have already provided good news about the potato’s potential to help people survive in extreme environments on Earth.
