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Chickpeas Flourish in Lunar Soil: A Space Farming Breakthrough

3/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin grew chickpeas using simulated lunar regolith, a milestone for Moon food.
The work, part of NASA's Artemis program, mixed lunar soil with vermicompost and coated seeds with mycorrhizal fungi.
Chickpeas thrived in mixtures containing up to 75% lunar soil.
Safety and nutrition remain uncertain as researchers investigate metal absorption and how many generations would be needed for edible crops.

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Story summary

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin grew chickpeas using simulated lunar regolith, a milestone for Moon food.
The work, part of NASA's Artemis program, mixed lunar soil with vermicompost and coated seeds with mycorrhizal fungi.
Chickpeas thrived in mixtures containing up to 75% lunar soil.
Safety and nutrition remain uncertain as researchers investigate metal absorption and how many generations would be needed for edible crops.