First-ever veggie crop harvested in Antarctic greenhouse - TomoNews
- 6 years ago
ANTARCTICA — At a greenhouse in the least hospitable continent on Earth, scientists have successfully farmed their first batch of fresh greens.
Deutsche Welle reports that German researchers at Neumayer Station III have developed a method to grow fruits and vegetables without sunlight or soil.
A high-tech greenhouse in Antarctica was used to grow produce despite subzero temperatures outside. Optimized lighting, a closed water system, and controlled levels of carbon dioxide were used.
The first harvest yielded 3.6 kilograms of fresh greens, 18 cucumbers, and 70 radishes.
Scientists are working on several different types of plants, and hope to harvest 4 to 5 kilos of fruits and veggies a week by May of 2018.
The Antarctic project, named EDEN-ISS and run by the German Aerospace Center, aims to produce a wider range of produce that could feed future human missions to the moon or Mars.
Deutsche Welle reports that German researchers at Neumayer Station III have developed a method to grow fruits and vegetables without sunlight or soil.
A high-tech greenhouse in Antarctica was used to grow produce despite subzero temperatures outside. Optimized lighting, a closed water system, and controlled levels of carbon dioxide were used.
The first harvest yielded 3.6 kilograms of fresh greens, 18 cucumbers, and 70 radishes.
Scientists are working on several different types of plants, and hope to harvest 4 to 5 kilos of fruits and veggies a week by May of 2018.
The Antarctic project, named EDEN-ISS and run by the German Aerospace Center, aims to produce a wider range of produce that could feed future human missions to the moon or Mars.