As humanity sets their sights on deep space exploration, the moon becomes a stepping stone, with countries hoping to build lunar bases to support such missions. To solve the “lunch” problem, scientists have been exploring the possibility of growing plants on the moon.

随着人类将目光投向深空探索，月球成为了一片理想试验田。各国希望在此建立基地以完成相关任务。为了解决“午餐”问题，科学家们一直在探索在月球上种植植物的可能性。
 

A new study by Chinese scientists has found that bacteria (细菌) in soil from Earth could offer a solution.

一项来自中国科学家的新研究发现，地球土壤中的细菌可以提供解决方案。
 

Researchers from China Agricultural University tested five species of bacteria on a material that simulated (模拟) lunar soil. Within a period of 10 to 21 days, three of the bacteria species had doubled their amount of phosphorus (磷) content, a key element for plant growth.

来自中国农业大学的研究人员在月壤模拟物上测试了五种细菌。磷是土壤中含有的一种植物必需营养元素。研究发现，在10至21天内，其中三种细菌将植物可利用磷含量增加了一倍。
 

They then grew model plants in the lunar soil simulant containing these three bacteria species. They observed that the plants had longer stems (茎) and roots after six days of growth compared with those grown without the bacteria. The plants also had heavier and wider clusters (簇) of leaves after 24 days of growth. Besides, levels of chlorophyll (叶绿素) – responsible for harvesting energy from light – in the model plants were about double that of those grown without bacteria.

随后，研究人员在这三种细菌处理后的模拟月壤中播种了实验模式植物。6天后他们观察到，相比在没有接种细菌的普通月壤模拟物中生长的植物，实验中的植物茎部和根部更长。种植24天后，这些植物还长出了更宽、更重的叶簇。此外，种植24天后，这些植物的叶绿素含量（负责从光中吸收能量）也比没有细菌的对照模拟物中的植物增加一倍。
 

“The study results have important implications (影响) for future long-term stays on the moon,” the study’s lead researcher, Sun Zhencai, told Xinhua. Earth bacteria may help astronauts make better use of lunar resources, such as creating lunar greenhouses. In their follow-up research, they hope to experiment with real lunar soil samples and grow crops like rice, corn and potatoes.

项目负责人孙振才告诉新华社记者，这项研究结果对未来人们长驻月球具有重要意义。地球的细菌可以帮助航天员更好地利用月球资源，例如建造月球温室。在后续研究中，他们希望能在真实的月壤上开展实验，种植水稻、玉米、土豆等农作物。
 

Since the duration of space missions is increasing, carrying all food supplies to space becomes unsustainable. Hence, “space planting” becomes critical.

随着航天员执行太空任务的持续时间不断增长，将所有食品补给带到太空变得不再可行。 因此，“太空种植”就变得至关重要。
 

During the Shenzhou XI mission, astronauts managed to grow lettuce, from sowing (播种) to harvest. In the later missions, the “space farmers” have successfully grown wheat, rice and thale cress (拟南芥), according to CCTV News.

在神舟十一号任务期间，航天员成功实现了生菜从播种到收获的种植全过程。据央视新闻报道，在后来执行任务期间，“太空农夫们”已经成功种植了小麦、水稻和拟南芥。
 

The most recent visitors to China’s space station, the Shenzhou XVII astronauts, are now growing lettuce, scallion (葱) and cherry tomato. These “space gardens” not only provide astronauts with food but also more oxygen and water.

最新进驻中国空间站的神舟十七号航天员现在正在种植生菜、大葱和樱桃番茄。 这些“太空菜园”不仅为航天员提供食物，还提供更多的氧气和水。

 

以上文章内容选自《21世纪英文报》高二930期