Project 15:
Mycorrhizae are symbiotic associations between plants and fungi that typically enhance plant uptake of nutrients such as phosphorus. This project is a sequel to a study by Laura Lee of the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) inoculum on plants grown in extraterrestrial regolith. In this study, we grew corn, alfalfa, and broccoli with or without AMF inoculum in pots of Lunar and Martian regolith and soil from Earth. We discovered that plants grew poorly in Martian regolith compared to Lunar regolith and Earth soil; and the influence of AMF inoculum was mixed. This proposed NASA internship study will explore methods to improve the performance of corn in Martian regolith and further test the influence of AMF inoculum on plant nutrition.
This spring, Alexis Bass has been volunteering to help Laura Lee harvest the experimental plants and collect data. We request NASA internship funding to pay Alexis 10-hours a week during AY 24-25 to help conduct a sequel experiment that tests the influence of pot diameter and perlite soil amendment on the growth and mycorrhizal responsiveness of corn grown in Lunar and Martian regolith compared to soil from Earth. We will conduct a 3 x 2 x 2 x 2 factorial experiment with 3 substrates (Martian and Lunar regolith, and Earth soil), with or without AMF inoculum, with or without perlite, and deep or wide pots. These treatments will be replicated 5 times for a total of 120 pots. The experiment will be established in September 2024, plants will be monitored in the greenhouse using NDVI through fall semester and they will be harvested and analyzed during spring semester.
This research will contribute directly to NASA’s Artemis program because advancement of sustainable food production is essential for humans to live and work in other worlds. This research will provide Alexis experience conducting a replicated factorial experiment. She will learn how to take NDVI measurements, collect plant biomass data, score roots for AMF colonization, use statistics to analyze data, and prepare written and oral scientific presentations. Alexis will present her findings at the Undergraduate Research Symposium in April 2025, and an additional regional or national meeting. Laura Lee will be preparing a manuscript for publication that include this research along with her 2023 experiment. Alexis will be a co-author on this publication.