Scientists Successfully Cultivate Chickpeas in Simulated Lunar Soil

Scientists have successfully grown and harvested chickpeas in simulated lunar soil, marking a significant advancement toward sustainable agriculture for future lunar missions. The study, published in Scientific Reports on March 5, 2026, details how researchers cultivated the 'Myles' variety of chickpeas in a controlled environment using a combination of simulated lunar regolith, vermicompost, and symbiotic fungi.

The simulated lunar soil, known as regolith, lacks essential organic matter and microorganisms necessary for plant growth. To address this, researchers incorporated vermicompost—a nutrient-rich material produced by earthworms—and coated the chickpea seeds with arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi. This symbiotic relationship aids in nutrient absorption and reduces the uptake of potentially harmful heavy metals present in the regolith.

The experiments demonstrated that chickpeas could be successfully cultivated in soil mixtures containing up to 75% simulated lunar regolith. However, higher concentrations led to plant stress and early mortality. Notably, the fungi were able to colonize and survive within the regolith, suggesting that a single introduction could suffice for long-term cultivation.

Lead author Jessica Atkin, a doctoral candidate at Texas A&M University's Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, emphasized the importance of this research for future lunar exploration. "Chickpeas are high in protein and other essential nutrients, making them a strong candidate for space crop production," she stated.

While the successful cultivation is a promising development, further analysis is required to assess the nutritional content and safety of the chickpeas grown in simulated lunar conditions. This research lays the groundwork for developing sustainable food sources for astronauts on extended lunar missions.