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Cited by 62Planetary Science and ExplorationPlant Growth and Agriculture TechniquesSpace Exploration and Technology

Crop growth and viability of seeds on Mars and Moon soil simulants

Open access
Wamelink, G.W.W., Frissel, J.Y., Krijnen, W.H.J., Verwoert, M.R.·2019·Open Agriculture
DOI 10.1515/opag-2019-0051
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Abstract

If humans are going to establish a base on the Moon or on Mars they will have to grow their own crops. An option is to use Lunar and Martian regolith. These regoliths are not available for plant growth experiments, therefore NASA has developed regolith simulants. The major goal of this project was to cultivate and harvest crops on these Mars and Moon simulants. The simulants were mixed with organic matter to mimic the addition of residues from earlier harvests. Ten different crops, garden cress, rocket, tomato, radish, rye, quinoa, spinach, chives, pea and leek were sown in random lines in trays. Nine of the ten species grew well with the exception of spinach. It was possible to harvest edible parts for nine out of ten crops. The total biomass production per tray was highest for the Earth control and Mars soil simulant and differed significantly from Moon soil simulant. The seeds produced by three species were tested for germination (radish, rye and cress). The germination on Moon soil simulant was significantly lower in radish than for the Earth control soil.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

Ten crop species were grown on NASA Mars and Moon regolith simulants amended with organic matter and a nutrient solution, with Earth potting soil as control. Nine species produced edible parts, but total biomass was lower on Moon simulant and radish seed germination was significantly reduced on Moon simulant compared with Earth control.

Key findings

  • Nine of the ten species grew well; spinach was the exception, flowering after only a few small leaves. Edible parts were harvested for nine out of ten crops.
  • Total aboveground dry biomass was highest on Earth control and lowest on Moon simulant; Moon was significantly lower than Earth control (p=0.0318), while Mars simulant was not significantly different from either due to high variation among replicates.
  • Seeds of radish, rye, and cress were tested. Rye seeds germinated on all media; radish germination on Moon simulant was significantly lower than Earth control, while Mars was not significantly different from either; cress seed weight was higher on Earth control than both simulants but differences were not statistically significant.

Methods

  • Greenhouse experiment in Wageningen under Earth atmosphere, gravity, and light; average 21.1 ± 3.0 °C and 65.0 ± 15.5% humidity, with 16 h daylight; three replicate trays per treatment (n=3) for Mars simulant JSC-1A Mars-1A, Moon simulant JSC1-1A, and Earth organic soil control.
  • Ten crops were sown in randomized lines in trays; simulants were mixed with 267 g fresh *Lolium perenne* grass per 7.5 L simulant, and a nutrient solution was added monthly except the first month; sowing was 9 April 2015 and harvest occurred 159 days later.
  • Aboveground biomass was dried 48 h at 70°C and weighed; seeds of rye, cress, and radish were dried 48 h at 25°C, weighed, then sown 5 April 2016 for germination until 25 April 2016.

Limitations

  • The paper states this was a limited preliminary experiment; peas were harvested as total biomass per treatment rather than per tray, so variance among the three replicates could not be evaluated, and missing pea replicate values were estimated based on variance of other species.
  • The paper states species were grown together, so individual biomass per species could not be analyzed; it calls for further work on optimal organic matter, water-use efficiency, physical characteristics of simulants/regoliths, nutrient recycling, nitrogen fixation, and fungi.
  • Evident from the text: water amount was not recorded; media and seeds were not sterilized; only three species were tested for germination; cress tray 3 had no seed setting; and spinach failed to grow properly.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1515/opag-2019-0051

Cites

24 of 24 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

5 of 20 cited sources checked · 3 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Findingown data
    § 4 Discussion

    Compared to earlier research (Wamelink et al. 2014), the biomass production was significantly higher.

    “Compared to our earlier research (Wamelink et al. 2014), the biomass production was significantly higher, and crops such as tomato, rye, pea and radish formed fruit and viable seeds.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Wamelink et al. 2014 source

      The Results report biomass differences among soil types within the 2014 experiment, and the Statistical Analysis describes tests between those soil types. Neither section compares the 2014 biomass with the citing paper’s later experiment or establishes that the later production was significantly higher. The cited paper therefore provides an earlier measurement, but our copy cannot verify the cross-experiment claim. (LLM, conf=0.76)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Premisecitation
    § 2.1 Regoliths

    The pH of the Moon regolith simulant is 9.6.

    “The pH of the Moon regolith simulant is so high (9.6,Wamelink et al. 2014)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Wamelink et al. 2014 source
  • Findingown data
    § 3.2 Seed weight and germination

    For three species, radish, cress and rye it was possible to harvest enough seeds for a germination experiment.

    “For three species, radish, cress and rye it was possible to harvest enough seeds for a germination experiment.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data
    § 3.2 Seed weight and germination

    For cress, the seed weight for the Earth control is higher than for both simulants.

    “For cress this looks different, the seed weight for the Earth control is higher than for both simulants.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data
    § Abstract

    The germination on Moon soil simulant was significantly lower in radish than for the Earth control soil.

    “The germination on Moon soil simulant was significantly lower in radish than for the Earth control soil.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: A balanced nutrient solution will be made based on faeces and urine.
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 17
  • May combine two claims. 14
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation
    § 1 Introduction

    14 different plant species grew successfully on Mars soil simulant and to a lesser extent on Moon soil simulant.

    “After the successful growth of 14 different plant species on Mars soil simulant and to a lesser extent on Moon soil simulant (Wamelink et al. 2014)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Wamelink et al. 2014 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § 2.1 Regoliths

    The Moon regolith simulant is nutrient poor, though it contained small amounts of nitrate and ammonium.

    “The analysis revealed that the Moon regolith simulant is nutrient poor, though it contained small amounts of nitrate and ammonium.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Wamelink et al. 2014 source

      Table 2 (Materials and Methods, Regoliths; page not provided) reports 4.2 mg/kg of combined nitrate and nitrite in the lunar simulant, consistent with a small amount of available nitrogen. It also lists 0.3 mg/kg ammonium, but that is below the stated 1.0 mg/kg detection limit, so the analysis does not establish that ammonium was present. The Discussion describes the lunar simulant as lacking sufficient reactive nitrogen. (LLM, conf=0.86)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § 2.1 Regoliths

    The Mars regolith simulant contained traces of nitrates and ammonium, and also a significant amount of carbon.

    “The Mars regolith also contained traces of nitrates and ammonium, but also a significant amount of carbon.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Wamelink et al. 2014 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § 2.1 Regoliths

    Water holding capacity of the soils was around 30% for the Mars and Moon simulant and 100% for Earth organic soil, in weight percent.

    “Water holding capacity of the soils was estimated and was around 30% for the Mars and Moon simulant and 100% for Earth organic soil, all in weight percent.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § 3.2 Seed weight and germination

    There is a significant difference in germination for the seeds on Earth soil and Moon soil simulant for radish, with a higher percentage for seeds grown on Earth soil.

    “There is a significant difference in germination for the seeds on Earth soil and Moon soil simulant for radish, with a higher percentage for seeds grown on Earth soil.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § 3.1 Fruit setting and biomass

    The only species that did not grow properly on any of the soils was spinach; the plants started to flower after only a few small leaves were formed.

    “The only species that did not grow properly on any of the soils was spinach; the plants started to flower after only a few small leaves were formed.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § 3.1 Fruit setting and biomass

    We were able to harvest radishes and radish seeds, cress and cress seeds, rye seeds, rocket, tomatoes and peas on Mars and Moon soil simulants and Earth organic soil.

    “We were able to harvest radishes and radish seeds, cress and cress seeds, rye seeds, rocket, tomatoes and peas on Mars and Moon soil simulants and Earth organic soil.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § 3.1 Fruit setting and biomass

    The total aboveground biomass was highest for the Earth control and lowest for the Moon soil simulant.

    “The total aboveground biomass was highest for the Earth control and lowest for the Moon soil simulant (Figure 2).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given
    § 3.1 Fruit setting and biomass

    Quinoa was growing well and formed flowers, but did not form any seeds.

    “Quinoa was growing well and formed flowers, but did not form any seeds.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Abstract

    Nine of the ten species grew well, with the exception of spinach.

    “Nine of the ten species grew well with the exception of spinach.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: A balanced nutrient solution will be made based on faeces and urine.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § 2.1 Regoliths

    There is only a small amount of reactive nitrogen present in the simulants and the pH of the simulants is high.

    “We found that there is only a small amount of reactive nitrogen present in the simulants and that the pH of the simulants is high.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingnone given
    § 3.1 Fruit setting and biomass

    One of the Mars trays, on the upper right corner of 3*3 lay out of the trays, had a much lower biomass.

    “One of the Mars trays, on the upper right corner of 3*3 lay out of the trays, had a much lower biomass.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § 3.2 Seed weight and germination

    The germination percentage of radish on Mars soil simulant was not significantly different from either the Earth control or Moon soil simulant (at p=0.05).

    “The germination percentage of radish on Mars soil simulant was not significantly different from either the Earth control or Moon soil simulant (at p=0.05).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Premisecitation
    § 1 Introduction

    For a permanent stay, production of crops on Mars or the Moon to supplement or supply the total food demand could be a necessity.

    “Food can and will be brought along, but for a permanent stay, production of crops on Mars or the Moon to supplement or even supply the total food demand could be a necessity (Graham and Bamsey 2016).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Graham and Bamsey 2016

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation
    § 1 Introduction

    Ensuring food availability and safety will be one of the major issues for a permanent human settlement on Mars or the Moon.

    “One of the major issues will be ensuring food availability and safety (Cousins and Cockell 2016).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Cousins and Cockell 2016

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisecitation
    § Abstract

    If humans establish a permanent base on the Moon or Mars, they will have to grow their own crops.

    “If humans are going to establish a base on the Moon or on Mars they will have to grow their own crops.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Graham and Bamsey 2016

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § 1 Introduction

    The JSC 1A Moon simulant resembles the actual Moon regolith closely; no important deviations from the original regolith are reported.

    “It resembles the actual Moon regolith closely; no important deviations from the original regolith are reported as far as we know.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Rickman et al. 2007

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given
    § 2.4 Experimental design

    The order of the species was randomized in a split plot design, resulting in a different order of the species for each tray.

    “The ten crops were sown in a line, the order of the species was randomized as well in a split plot design, resulting in a different order of the species for each tray.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data
    § 2.4 Experimental design

    There were three replicates in the experiment (n=3).

    “There were three replicates in the experiment (n=3), i.e. three trays (with punctures in the bottom) with Mars soil simulant, three trays with Moon soil simulant and three trays with the control, Earth potting soil”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given
    § 2.4 Experimental design

    The amount of water given was not recorded.

    “The amount of water given was not recorded.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Study design and conductown data
    § 4 Discussion

    It was not possible to evaluate the variance between the three replicas for peas.

    “Therefore, it was not possible to evaluate the variance between the three replicas.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given
    § 4 Discussion

    The peas were harvested as a total biomass per treatment and not per tray.

    “Unfortunately, the peas were harvested as a total biomass per treatment and not per tray.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning
    § 4 Discussion

    To overcome the problem of missing replicates, we estimated the values for the peas based on the variance of the other species.

    “To overcome the problem of missing replicates, we estimated the values for the peas based on the variance of the other species.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § 2.2 Species selection

    Several of the selected crops are included by Perchonok and Bourland (2002) as part of a diet for a long stay in space.

    “Several of our selected crops are also included by Perchonok and Bourland (2002) as part of a diet for a long stay in space.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Perchonok and Bourland 2002 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given
    § 2.5 Harvest and measurements

    We duplicated the same random design for the trays and the sequence of species per tray as in 2015, with exclusion of the other six species.

    “We duplicated the same random design for the trays and the sequence of species per tray as in 2015, with exclusion of the other six species.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning
    § 2.4 Experimental design

    The experiment used a randomized complete block design for the total biomass harvest.

    “This results in a randomized complete block design for the total biomass harvest.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § 2.2 Species selection

    Astronauts on the ISS often complain about the taste of their food.

    “Astronauts on the ISS often complain about the taste of their food and spicy crops may therefore be a welcome addition to their diet (Cooper et al. 2011).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Cooper et al. 2011 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation
    § 2.2 Species selection

    Spicy crops may be a welcome addition to astronauts' diet.

    “spicy crops may therefore be a welcome addition to their diet (Cooper et al. 2011).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Cooper et al. 2011 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning
    § 4 Discussion

    This had consequences for the evaluation of the total biomass.

    “This had consequences for the evaluation of the total biomass as well.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § 4 Discussion

    Earlier research on Arabidopsis thaliana and Tagetes patula on regolith and Moon rock simulant also produced flowering plants.

    “Earlier research on Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh.and Tagetes patula L. (Ferl et al. 2010; Kozyrovska et al. 2006; Zaets et al. 2011) on regolith and Moon rocksimulant also produced flowering plants.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Ferl et al. 2010 source
    • cites Kozyrovska et al. 2006 source
    • cites Zaets et al. 2011 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data
    § 4 Discussion

    The seed weight is reasonable for all of the four tested species, since there are no significant differences between the soils.

    “A quality indicator is the seed weight and that is reasonable for all of the four tested species, since there are no significant differences between the soils.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Seed weight is a quality indicator for seed viability.
31 of 31

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Plants will be grown indoors and below ground on Mars or the Moon to avoid the unfavourable conditions outside.

    “We assume that plants will be grown indoors and below ground on Mars or the Moon to avoid the unfavourable conditions outside.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    A balanced nutrient solution will be made based on faeces and urine.

    “We assumed that based on the faeces and urine a balanced solution will be made”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Bacteria will be brought to Mars and the Moon to support plant growth and organic matter breakdown.

    “We assume that bacteria will be brought to Mars and the Moon to support plant growth and organic matter break down.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Moon regolith is not available for growing plants at sufficient quantities at the moment.

    “However, Moon regolith is not available for growing plants at sufficient quantities at the moment.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Seed production is necessary to prevent new seeds from being flown in for every generation.

    “Seed production is a necessity to prevent new seeds to be flown in for every generation.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The formed seeds must be viable.

    “The formed seeds have to be viable.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Seed weight is a quality indicator for seed viability.

    “A quality indicator is the seed weight”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The Mars and Moon soil simulants used are representative of actual Martian and lunar regolith for crop growth.

    “crop growth on Mars and moon soil simulants is possible”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The Earth potting soil used as control is a suitable reference for fertile growth medium.

    “three trays with the control, Earth potting soil”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The improved plant growth on Earth potting soil compared to simulants is due to its organic matter content.

    “Now that we have shown that adding organic matter to the simulants improves plant growth”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Mars regolith is not yet available on Earth.

    “Mars regolith is not yet available on Earth.”
11 of 11

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • In Wamelink et al. (2019), only three species (radish, rye, and cress) produced seeds.

    “Only three species (radish, rye, and cress) produced seeds.”

    From The Potential for Lunar and Martian Regolith Simulants to Sustain Plant Growth: A Multidisciplinary Overview (2022) · cites this paper as Wamelink et al., 2019

    Section 2.5 says seeds were harvested from radish, rye, and cress for the germination experiment, but that does not mean they were the only species to produce seeds. The Discussion also says tomato and pea formed fruit and viable seeds, contrary to the claim’s “only three.” (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Checked by a reasoning model — may be wrong.

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • In Wamelink et al. (2019), radish germination rates were lower in the Lunar simulant than in the Earth control soil and Martian simulant.

    “Radish germination rates were lower in the Lunar simulant than in the Earth control soil and Marian simulant.”

    From The Potential for Lunar and Martian Regolith Simulants to Sustain Plant Growth: A Multidisciplinary Overview (2022) · cites this paper as Wamelink et al., 2019

    Section 3.2 reports significantly higher radish-seed germination for seeds grown in Earth soil than for those grown in Moon soil simulant. It does not state that the Moon-simulant rate was lower than the Mars-simulant rate; it says the Mars rate was not significantly different from either. The Mars comparison is therefore not established by the text of our copy. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • In Wamelink et al. (2019), biomass production was highest in the Earth control and the Martian soil simulant, but was significantly lower in the Lunar simulant.

    “The biomass production was highest in the Earth control and the Martian soil simulant, but was significantly lower in the Lunar simulant.”

    From The Potential for Lunar and Martian Regolith Simulants to Sustain Plant Growth: A Multidisciplinary Overview (2022) · cites this paper as Wamelink et al., 2019

    Section 3.1 (Fruit setting and biomass) reports that total aboveground biomass was highest in the Earth control and lowest in the Moon simulant, with Moon dry biomass significantly below Earth (p=0.0318). It also states that Mars biomass was not significantly different from either Earth or Moon, so the claim is unsupported if it implies a significant Mars–Moon difference. (LLM, conf=0.90)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Discussion refers to four seed-weight species, but lists three

    Minor

    The discussion calls seed weight a quality indicator for four tested species, whereas the seed-weight figure identifies only cress, radish and rye.

  • Germination experiment excludes seven species, not six

    Minor

    The original experiment sowed ten species, while the germination experiment included three. That leaves seven species excluded, not six.

    Reported 6 · recomputed 7

  • Moon-grown cress had substantial germination failure

    Minor

    The discussion says almost no rye or cress seeds failed to germinate, but the Moon-grown cress entries show 7 and 5 germinations out of 10 each. Eight of those 20 cress seeds failed to germinate.

3 of 3

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. [1] Baur P.S., Clark R.S., Walkinshaw C.H., Scholes V.E., Uptake and translocation of elements from Apollo 11 lunar material by lettuce seedlings, Phyton, 1974, 32, 133-142

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Wamelink, G. W. W., Frissel, J. Y., Krijnen, W. H. J., & Verwoert, M. R.
Affiliations
Wageningen University & Research (NL)
Corresponding author
Wamelink, G.W.W.
ORCID
Wamelink, G.W.W.
Venue
Open Agriculture
Publisher
Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Published
2019-01-01
Volume
4
Issue
1
Pages
509-516
ISSN
2391-9531 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1515/opag-2019-0051
OpenAlex
W2978622258
Semantic Scholar
39d69243e3d50d215e6720e358d4cc247c877137
Cited by
62
References
22
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 2
FWCI
3.07
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Open Agriculture (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Socio-Environmental Systems Modeling (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
Wageningen University and Research
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Planetary Science and Exploration
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Plant Growth and Agriculture Techniques
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Aerospace Engineering › Space Exploration and Technology
Keywords
lunar regolith, Martian regolith, crop growth, seed germination, space agriculture, biomass production, Lepidium sativum, radish, rye, spinach, food crops, organic amendments

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-11-03.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-11-03.

Cited sources are checked by gpt-6-sol.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

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