COSMOS MAGAZINE
Growing fresh food in space is a major challenge for future human settlements on the Moon and Mars, prompting scientists to develop an ideal rice crop suited for deep-space environments.
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The Moon-Rice project, led by the Italian Space Agency and several Italian universities, aims to create a super-dwarf rice variety that is both compact and highly productive.
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This effort addresses not only the need for fresh, nutrient-rich food in space but also mirrors agricultural challenges on Earth.
Collection of CRISPR-Cas mutagenised rice plants. Credit: The University of Milan (CC BY-NC-ND)
Researchers are experimenting with plant hormones and genetic modifications to overcome size and productivity limitations, while ensuring reliable seed germination.
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