Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
A team of scientists has identified a plant capable of surviving and growing in the harsh conditions of Mars, according to a report by The Guardian.
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The plant, scientifically named Syntrichia caninervis, is found in Antarctica and the Mojave Desert, making it a potential key to establishing life on Mars.
Syntrichia caninervis can withstand extreme cold, high radiation levels, and severe drought, according to the research team.
This research is the first to explore the survival of entire plants on Mars' surface rather than in greenhouses, providing new insights into outer space colonization using stress-adapted plants.
The study found that S. caninervis has superior environmental resilience compared to stress-tolerant microorganisms and tardigrades, making it a promising candidate for extraterrestrial colonization.
The study, published in 'The Innovation,' documented how the desert moss survived and quickly recovered from near-total dehydration and extreme conditions, including gamma radiation exposure.
Researchers built a system with Martian-like pressures, temperatures, gasses, and UV radiation. S. caninervis thrived under these conditions and regrew under normal growth conditions after exposure.
S. caninervis could facilitate terraforming efforts on Mars by contributing to oxygen production, carbon sequestration, and soil fertility, serving as a pioneer species for ecosystem establishment.
Although self-sufficient habitats on other planets are still far off, this study demonstrates the potential of S. caninervis as a pioneer plant for Mars or the Moon, paving the way for future plant colonization and growth in outer space.