Improving the Quality of Lunar Regolith Simulant Soil for Future Food Security
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This research explores the possibilities of using lunar soil resources in agriculture. The effectiveness of humic micro-encapsulated was investigated for physical and chemical quality improvement for lunar culture applications by using TLS-01 (Thailand artificial lunar regolith Simulant-01) as a test substance. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) was used as the test plant. TLS-01 particles were evenly distributed, uncluttered, and consisted of 54.55% polygons and 45.45% rods, without having high water-holding capacity. The plants were grown in TLS-01, but their physical characteristics were unacceptable. Sunflower seedlings grown in TLS-01 soil showed a lower percentage of germination, and root and stem length compared to those grown in commercial planting material. After an improvement in physical properties and nutrients, from the study of the relationship between the soil used in the trial for planting and the humic acid concentration, no interaction between soil and humic acid was found. Therefore, while the soil types were significantly different, the humic was not. The results showed that a 1:1 mixture of TLS-01: coconut coir with the addition of 2 times the recommended dose of humic acid could enhance sunflower seedling relative to commercial planting material (p≤0.05). The germination percentage and growth indexes were 85.00% and 6.62, respectively. However, in order to stimulate actual usage for interplanetary application, coconut fiber-like materials and the humic substances were applied as in microcapsules. Additionally, the humic release test showed that after 6 h, the release of humic substance by Fickian diffusion was 73.45% and it then slowed down. The encapsulation efficiency was 90.37%.
Keywords: Thailand artificial lunar regolith simulant-01; sunflower; nanocapsule; coir; humic
*Corresponding author: Tel.: (+66) 891078814
E-mail: cwilawan@tu.ac.th
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Copyright Transfer Statement
The copyright of this article is transferred to Current Applied Science and Technology journal with effect if and when the article is accepted for publication. The copyright transfer covers the exclusive right to reproduce and distribute the article, including reprints, translations, photographic reproductions, electronic form (offline, online) or any other reproductions of similar nature.
The author warrants that this contribution is original and that he/she has full power to make this grant. The author signs for and accepts responsibility for releasing this material on behalf of any and all co-authors.
Here is the link for download: Copyright transfer form.pdf
References
Chinnasaen, T. Khamkula, K., Wetchakama, N. and Sangmanee, K., 2018. Enhancement germination of yam bean seed by hydropriming. Khon Kaen Agriculture Journal, 46(Suppl. 1), 1269-1278.
De Pascale, S., Arena, C., Aronne, G., De Micco, V., Pannico, A., Paradiso, R. and Rouphael, Y., 2021. Biology and crop production in space environments: Challenges and opportunities. Life Sciences in Space Research, 29, 30-37, DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr. 2021.02.005.
TrendEconomy, 2020. Annual International Trade Statistics by Country (HS). [online] Available at: https://trendeconomy.com/data/h2/Thailand/1206.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2019. Value of Agricultural Production. [online] Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#home.
Thongchuang, M., Kunsombat, C., Taothong, R., Naknawa, W., Kraboun, K., Ajavakom, V. and Wutipraditku, N., 2019. Antioxidant capacity in different cultivars of sunflower sprouts and their harvesting indices. The Journal of Applied Science, 18(2), 79-96, DOI: 10.14416/j.appsci.2019.11.002.
Chang, B.C. and Ann, K.Y., 2019. Development of assessment methods of lunar soil simulants with respect to chemical composition. Advances in Space Research, 63(8), 2584-2597, DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2019.01.015.
Mayoral, O., Solbes, J., Cantó, J. and Pina, T., 2020. What has been thought and taught on the lunar influence on plants in agriculture? Perspective from physics and biology. Agronomy, 10, DOI: 10.3390/agronomy10070955.
Seehanam, S., Santironnarong, S., Meesuay, W., Soralump, S., Thowiwat, W. and Jitklongsub, S., Chancharoen, W. 2021. Development and mechanical properties of the first Thailand lunar simulant (TLS-01). 2nd Innovation Aviation and Aerospace Industry - International Conference 2021, Chiang Mai, Thailand, June 28-30, 2021, pp. 1-4.
Wamelink, G.W.W., Frissel, J.Y., Krijnen, W.H.J., Verwoert, M.R. and Goedhart, P.W., 2014. Can plants grow on Mars and the moon: A growth experiment on Mars and moon soil simulants. PLOS One, 9(8), DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103138.
Kasiviswanathan, P., Swanner, E.D., Halverson, L.J. and Vijayapalani, P., 2022. Farming on Mars: Treatment of basaltic regolith soil and briny water simulants sustains plant growth. PLOS One, 17(8), DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272209.
Neves, J.M., Ramanathan, S., Suraneni, P., Grugel, R. and Radlińska, A., 2020. Characterization, mechanical properties, and microstructural development of lunar regolith simulant-portland cement-blended mixtures. Construction and Building Materials, 258, DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.120315.
Prachnakorn, J., Deesang, B., Temkhamhun, C. and Chakranon, B., 1999. Some Soil Properties. Tapi River Basin (Huay Sai Khao), Phipun District, Nakhon Si Dhammakaya Province. [online] Available at: https://clibdoc.psu.ac.th/public14/south2/abstract/248570.pdf. (in Thai)
Wiriyakitnateekul, W. and Kerdchana, C., 2016. Methods of Soil Analysis and Interpretation for Soil Survey and Classification: Physical Properties. Bangkok: Land Develop Department. (in Thai)
Department of Land Development, 2010. Soil Chemical Analysis Process. [online] Available at: https://www.ldd.go.th/PMQA/2553/Manual/OSD-03.pdf. (in Thai)
Siri-Ngam, K., 2014. Effect of potassium on the physiological response of lettuce grown in the soilless system. Phranakhon Rajabhat Research Journal, 9(1), 16-32. (in Thai)
Pakthongchai, J., 2020. Cellulose film mixed with microencapsulation of essential oils to prolong the storability of Longkong (Aglaia dookoo Griff.). M.Sc. Thammasat University, Thailand.
Chuaboon, W., Kasem, S. and Prathuangwong, S., 2007. The efficacy of beneficial bacteria along with natural biological substances in promoting growth and stimulating disease resistance in cauliflower production in field conditions. House Agricultural Magazine, 31(5), 264-265. (in Thai)
Goulas, A., Binner, J.G.P., Engstrøm, D.S., Harris, R.A. and Friel, R.J., 2019. Mechanical behavior of additively manufactured lunar regolith simulant components. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part L: Journal of Materials: Design and Applications, 233(8), 1629-1644, DOI: 10.1177/1464420718777932.
Fateri, M., Sottong, R. Kolbe, M., Gamer, J., Sperl, M. and Cowley, A., 2019. Thermal properties of processed lunar regolith simulant. International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology, 16(6), 2419-2428. DOI: 10.1111/ijac.13267.
Huang, L., Dong, B.-C., Xue, W., Peng, Y.-K., Zhang, M.-X. and Yu, F.-H., 2013. Soil particle heterogeneity affects the growth of a rhizomatous wetland plant. PLOS One, 8(7), DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069836.
Saengngam, T., Mala, T., Amkha, S. and Sinma, K., 2015. The effect of humic substances and calcium silicate on the growth of action 434 melon and some properties of Kamphaeng Sean soil series. Journal of Science and Technology, 4(1), 12-22.
Department of Soil Science, 1998. Introduction to Soil Science. 8th ed, Bangkok: Kasetsart University Press. (in Thai)
Anuwong, C., Korsinwattana, S. and Marongchai, S., 2020. Effect of the growing media and manure types on growth and development of Episcia cupreata (Hook.) Hanst. King Mongkut's Agriculture Journal, 38(3), 304-314.
Hesse, P.R., 1984. The potential of organic materials for soil improvement. The International Conference on Organic Matter and Rice, Los Banos, Philippines, September 27- October 1, 1982, pp. 35-42.
Wongkrachang, S. and Rattaneetu, B., 2014. Acid soil management by using the lime and organic matter. Princess of Naradhiwas University Journal, 6(1), 103-112.
Zhang, B., Zheng, L., Liang, S., Lu, Y., Zheng, J., Zhang, G., Li, W. and Jiang, H., 2022. Encapsulation of capsaicin in whey protein and OSA-modified starch using spray-drying: physicochemical properties and its stability. Foods, 11, DOI: 10.3390/foods11040612.
Zhang, X., Zhang, B., Ge, X., Shen, H., Sun, X., Zhang, Q., Lu, Y., Sun, Z. and Li, W., 2022. Fabrication and characterization of whey protein—citrate mung bean starch—capsaicin microcapsules by spray drying with improved stability and solubility. Foods, 11, DOI: 10.3390/foods11071049.