Preliminary study of greenhouse grown Swiss chard in mixtures of Compost and Mars Regolith Simulant
Abstract
The growth of Swiss chard in compost, Mars regolith simulant, and mixtures thereof, was studied for application in Advanced Life Support (ALS) systems, particularly Mars/lunar based operations. The purpose was to begin characterizing a sustainable biomass production method based on compost derived from inedible biomass. Compost would serve both as a means of recycling plant nutrients while improving the physical qualities of regolith as a plant growth medium. An outpost’s cropping area could be expanded by blending a minimal amount of compost (scarce, initially imported resource) and a maximal amount of regolith (plentiful local resource), consistent with adequate crop yields. Swiss chard was selected for the study as it is an ALS crop candidate for which there are little data.
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The use of regolith simulants amended with organic matrixes, and their contribution to disposal of organic streams in space colonies, has been scarcely investigated.
“The use of regolith simulants amended with organic matrixes, as well as their contribution to the disposal of organic streams in space colonies, has been scarcely investigated (Gilrain et al., 1999; Mortley et al., 2000; Wamelink et al., 2014).”
From Fava bean plant performance and fertility dynamics in Mars regolith simulant-based substrates for space farming (2025) · cites this paper as Gilrain et al., 1999
A superior yield with the addition of compost to JSC Mars-1 simulant was noticed for Swiss chard.
“Similarly, a superior yield with the addition of compost to JSC Mars-1 simulant was noticed for Swiss chard [34].”
From Mars Regolith Simulant Ameliorated by Compost as in situ Cultivation Substrate Improves Lettuce Growth and Nutritional Aspects (2020) · cites this paper as [34]
Very few works have dealt with cultivation on Mars simulants.
“very few works have dealt with cultivation on Mars simulants”
From Mars Regolith Simulant Ameliorated by Compost as in situ Cultivation Substrate Improves Lettuce Growth and Nutritional Aspects (2020) · cites this paper as [34]
Only Gilrain et al. adopted diverse ratios of simulant and compost.
“with only Gilrain et al. [34] adopting diverse ratios of simulant and compost”
From Mars Regolith Simulant Ameliorated by Compost as in situ Cultivation Substrate Improves Lettuce Growth and Nutritional Aspects (2020) · cites this paper as [34]
Studies report that Martian and Lunar simulants have a pH above 6, and have alkaline properties in some cases, suggesting low rates of mineral weathering and cation release.
“Studies report that the Martian and Lunar simulants have a pH above 6, and have alkaline properties in some cases (Gilrain et al., 1999;Zaets et al., 2011;Wamelink et al., 2014;Caporale et al., 2020;Eichler et al., 2021), suggesting low rates of mineral weathering and cation release.”
From The Potential for Lunar and Martian Regolith Simulants to Sustain Plant Growth: A Multidisciplinary Overview (2022) · cites this paper as Gilrain et al., 1999
The only data regarding EC in Martian simulants indicate low values of 0.2-0.3 dS m-1, suggesting no adverse effect of salinity on plant growth.
“The only data regarding EC in Martian simulants indicate low values of 0.2-0.3dS m -1 (Gilrain et al., 1999;Caporale et al., 2020), suggesting no adverse effect of salinity on plant growth.”
From The Potential for Lunar and Martian Regolith Simulants to Sustain Plant Growth: A Multidisciplinary Overview (2022) · cites this paper as Gilrain et al., 1999
In Gilrain et al. (1999), Swiss chard plants grown in compost:simulant ratios of 1:0, 3:1, and 1:1 showed yields greater than those in the 1:3 and 0:1 ratios, and control plants irrigated with only water produced similar trends.
“Plants grown in compost:simulant ratios of 1:0, 3:1, and 1:1 showed yields that were greater than those in the 1:3 and 0:1 ratios, and control plants irrigated with only water produced similar trends.”
From The Potential for Lunar and Martian Regolith Simulants to Sustain Plant Growth: A Multidisciplinary Overview (2022) · cites this paper as Gilrain et al., 1999
The use of a stable organic amendment can supply organic carbon and improve the physical features of regolith.
“The first solution involves the use of a stable organic amendment, not only as a supply of organic carbon, but also to improve the physical features of regolith (Gilrain et al., 1999).”
From The Potential for Lunar and Martian Regolith Simulants to Sustain Plant Growth: A Multidisciplinary Overview (2022) · cites this paper as Gilrain et al., 1999
Gilrain et al. (1999) concluded that compost mainly promoted plant growth by improving the physical features of the regolith that regulate water and/or nutrient availability.
“The authors concluded that the compost mainly promoted plant growth by improving the physical features of the regolith that regulate water and/or nutrient availability.”
From The Potential for Lunar and Martian Regolith Simulants to Sustain Plant Growth: A Multidisciplinary Overview (2022) · cites this paper as Gilrain et al., 1999
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Duri, L. G., Caporale, A. G., Rouphael, Y., Vingiani, S., Palladino, M., De Pascale, S., & Adamo, P. (2022) · Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences · doi:10.3389/fspas.2021.747821 · Cited by 107 · see citing works
Duri, L. G., El-Nakhel, C., Caporale, A. G., Ciriello, M., Graziani, G., Pannico, A., Palladino, M., Ritieni, A., De Pascale, S., Vingiani, S., et al. (2020) · Plants · doi:10.3390/plants9050628 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Caporale, A. G., Amato, M., Duri, L. G., Bochicchio, R., De Pascale, S., Simeone, G. D. R., Palladino, M., Pannico, A., Rao, M. A., Rouphael, Y., et al. (2022) · Plants · doi:10.3390/plants11233345 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Caporale, A. G., Paradiso, R., Liuzzi, G., Palladino, M., Amitrano, C., Arena, C., Arouna, N., Verrillo, M., Cozzolino, V., De Pascale, S., et al. (2023) · Plant and Soil · doi:10.1007/s11104-022-05860-0 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Caporale, A. G., Paradiso, R., Arouna, N., Amitrano, C., Tagliamonte, S., Chiacchio, M. F., Vitaglione, P., De Pascale, S., & Adamo, P. (2025) · Frontiers in Plant Science · doi:10.3389/fpls.2025.1676285 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
- Authors
- Gilrain, M. R., Hogan, J. A., Cowan, R. M., Finstein, M. S., & Logendra, L. S.
- Affiliations
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (US)
- ORCID
- Hogan, John A.
- Venue
- SAE Technical Paper Series
- Publisher
- SAE International
- Published
- 1999-07-12
- Volume
- 1
- ISSN
- 0148-7191 (ISSN-L)
- 2688-3627
- OpenAlex
- W1601233735
- Cited by
- 28
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 2
- FWCI
- 11.54
- Type
- conference paper
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- SAE technical papers on CD-ROM/SAE technical paper series (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Plant Growth and Agriculture Techniques
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Innovations in Aquaponics and Hydroponics Systems
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Aerospace Engineering › Space Exploration and Technology
- Keywords
- Swiss chard, compost, advanced life support systems, space agriculture, greenhouse cultivation, plant growth media, nutrient cycling, crop yield
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