Potato is potential future space crop, space farming
Q. Which is considered as the potential future space crop? - Published on 22 Feb 16a. Potato
b. Corn / Maize
c. Carrot
d. Barley
ANSWER: Potato
- NASA, the U.S. space agency, is conducting the pioneering experiment together with Lima’s International Potato Center (CIP) to see whether potatoes from Peru are fit to grow on Mars.
- The scientists hope the experiment will also help address the earthly scourges of hunger and malnutrition by identifying varieties suited to growing in harsh conditions.
- Scientists are claiming to respond to desertification, rising temperature and high salt content in the soil.
- In future years, NASA plans to build a Mars research centre in the Peruvian desert.
- It would create a perfect replica of the Martian landscape and atmosphere for future research into space farming that could serve manned missions to Mars and other planets in the solar system.