Growth promoting bacterium Mokoshia rubra isolated from Antarctic soil stimulates growth and physiological parameters of Arabidopsis thaliana cultivated in lunar regolith analog
Vol.16,No.1(2026)
With the planning, preparation, and execution of future long-term lunar missions, there is a growing need to develop methods that enable sustainable plant cultivation in lunar regolith, as future lunar greenhouses will require reliable and safe cultivation technologies. Over the past two decades, research has focused on the comprehensive evaluation of lunar regolith as a potential plant growth substrate and on strategies to improve its properties. These studies have investigated the addition of nutrients and organic amendments, as well as the application of autotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms, particularly plant growth-promoting bacteria. The present study evaluated the effects of three amendments to a lunar regolith analogue: (1) Hoagland nutrient solution, (2) biochar, and (3) the plant growth-promoting bacterium Mokoshia rubra. Their effects on photosynthetic performance, growth, and physiological parameters of Arabidopsis thaliana were investigated. Hoagland nutrient solution and M. rubra inoculation positively affected the majority of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters related to PSII function and efficiency.
James Ross Island; space agriculture; plants for space; GPB; Mokoshia rubra
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Copyright © 2026 Davide Giordano, Pavel Coufalík, Oliwia Walkowiak, Natálie Kučerová, Dana Nováková, Syed Inzimam Ul Haq