Intention:

Having collected some Martian soil, which we used in yesterdays experiment to try and identify the soil types, we found that Jamon had spare plant seeds. The intention is to plant some of these seeds in the three different soil types, having a control specimen in good soil, and to them be monitored by future crews for growth differences due to the soil.

Equipment:

• Three soil samples
• Good soil sample
• Radish seeds
• Plant pots
• Drip trays

Method:

We placed the three soil samples in different plant pots, marking the pots on the outside. We also set up a fourth pot with good soil that Jamon had bought with his experiment. Four radish seeds were placed in each pot, covered in soil and watered.

Over the next few days of our rotation, and hopefully from the future crews, the plants will continue to be watered and the growth recorded, noting the difference in the plants, using the control sample as a guide.

Conclusions:

These will be determined over the course of the experiment.

Evaluation:

Ideally we would have begun this experiment at the beginning of our rotation so we could have noted and recorded some growth prior to handing over to another crew. Also ideally we would like to have placed the plants in the GreenHab, however due to the problems experienced in the GreenHab at present I do not believe they would survive in there.