Mars Potato Cultivation: Analysis, Challenges, Sustainable Scientific Conceptions

TL;DR

This paper explores the challenges and potential solutions for growing potatoes on Mars to support sustainable human habitats.

Contribution

The paper introduces a structured roadmap and hypotheses for Martian potato cultivation, linking theoretical concepts to testable research.

Findings

Seven major challenges for Martian potato cultivation were identified, including extreme temperatures and water scarcity.

A four-stage roadmap was proposed to systematically address these challenges through bioengineering and controlled experiments.

The framework provides hypotheses and performance indicators to guide future research in extraterrestrial agriculture.

Abstract

As human space exploration advances towards establishing sustainable Martian habitats, achieving autonomous food production is a critical requirement. The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), with its notable environmental resilience and nutritional efficiency, is a prime candidate crop. This study develops a conceptual framework for Martian potato cultivation by systematically analyzing the profound disparities between Martian conditions and plant physiology. We identify and evaluate seven fundamental challenges: atmospheric composition, extreme temperatures, water scarcity, soil properties, nutrient deficiencies, absent microbiota, and radiation/gravity effects. To address these challenges, we propose a phased, testable roadmap comprising four stages: (I) screening and bio-engineering of multi-stress-tolerant potato genotypes; (II) phased domestication via Earth-based analog experiments to define adaptability thresholds; (III) deployment of a controlled cultivation module within a Martian habitat, integrating targeted technological interventions; and (IV) conceptual exploration of extra-habitat agricultural potential. The primary contribution of this work is a structured set of hypotheses and key performance indicators for each stage, translating visionary goals into a defined research agenda to guide future empirical work in extraterrestrial agronomy.

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