Soils in extraterrestrial space: Need for studies under microgravity

Abstract

With the increased interest of plants in space, gravity cannot be ignored when studying soil-plant-water relations. Therefore, it is important to understand the water relations of soils under zero gravity in space or under reduced gravity on the Moon or Mars. This paper outlines the problems of moving water in soils under zero gravity or microgravity, as well as growing plants in these soils. It is suggested that microgravity experiments could be done on Earth using both soils and plants. Results from such experiments could be used to grow plants when mankind establishes bases on the Moon and Mars.