Nutrients

Plants for food will need to be grown in a controlled environment of the “Hab.” or specialised structures on or below the surface of Mars

The soil on Mars actually does have the nutrients plants would need to survive on Mars, But has harmful perchlorates in and the nutrients may not be the right amount depending on where astronauts land on the Red Planet.

Simulant soil would be needed from mixtures of the Nutrient found naturally on Mars with fertilizers added to the soil and the perchlorates in the soil would need to be leached out and separated from the water.

Nutrient production for growing plants,

Macronutrients : Oxygen(O₂), Hydrogen (H₂), Carbon(C), Nitrogen(N), Potassium(K), Phosphorus(P), Calcium(Ca), Magnesium(Mg) and Sulfur(S)

Micro nutrients: Iron(Fe), Manganese(Mn), Zinc(Zn), Copper(Cu), Molybdenum(Mo), Boron(B) and Chlorine(Cl)

hard-plastic shield domes were used placed in low lying locations so the thin atmosphere can provide as much protection as possible from Solar flares.

Growing plans either Hydroponically or in Simulated soil

For Plant growth adequate light, water and heat is needed as well as a number of essential chemical elements provided through soil and other natural processes using a balanced mixture of plant nutrients at the correct stage for strong growth.

Light

Light intensity(millimoles per square meter) and spectrum are both vital to plant growth, Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) is the range of wavelengths(400 to 700 nanometer) and the amount of light needed for photosynthesis. Light can be synthetic or mirrored in as although often bio domes are depicted on Mars the radiation on the surface of Mars would kill plants unless some sort of UV-resistant

Non-mineral elements

Three main elements from the air and water are Oxygen, Hydrogen and Carbon, the others added throughout the plant growth cycle.

Macronutrients

Macronutrients Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium are the primary macro nutrients needed for plant development and are required in large quantities to ensure good growth. Other important secondary macronutrients required are Sulphur, Calcium, and Magnesium. Silicon is also a macro nutrient used by plants, but it is not considered essential.

Micro nutrients

Hydroponics/soil nutrients are required in small quantities but are vital to plant growth. Micro nutrients are Iron, Molybdenum, Boron, Copper, Manganese, and Zinc. The micro nutrient Sodium can also be beneficial to plant health.

Beneficial elements

Beneficial elements, although not essential to plant growth, are recognised to stimulate growth and improve overall health, especially during certain stages of plant development. Out of the above macro and micro nutrients, both Silicon and Sodium are considered beneficial elements. Two other elements are Cobalt and Selenium, are also known to be beneficial elements in plant growth.

FUNCTIONS OF ELEMENTS

Each element, whether it’s a macro, micro, or beneficial element, serves a particular function in plant growth and development. Here’s how each contribute:

Nitrogen

This macro element is an essential component of all proteins and is necessary to ensure the formation of chlorophyll, amino acids, and co-enzymes.

Phosphorus

A macro element known to be vital in sugar, phosphate, and energy production, Phosphorus serves several functions and is particularly important in the flowering and fruiting stages, as well as for stimulating root growth.

Potassium

This element is required in large amounts for protein synthesis. Potassium helps in the manufacture of essential sugars and starches, and it also encourages plants to grow healthy roots and a sturdy structure.

Sulphur

This essential element plays a key role in the formation of chloroplasts and protein synthesis. It helps with water uptake and during the seeding, and flowering / fruiting stages of plant growth. Sulphur also acts as an organic fungicide which is beneficial throughout the entire growth cycle.

Silicon

Although considered a beneficial element, silicon has a role in many vital plant functions. It is known to protect plants from pests and disease, it strengthens cell walls and increases plant health and productivity, and is shown to improve root mass and overall yields.

Magnesium

This macro nutrient is a vital part of chlorophyll. It also is needed to make oxygen during photosynthesis and is important for catalysing the growth process.

Boron

Boron serves a primary function in cell wall formation, but secondary functions include sugar transport, cell division, and the synthesising of a number of key enzymes.

Calcium

Calcium, like Boron, also aids the formation of healthy cell walls and activates required enzymes. It also plays a role in photosynthesis and regulates the transport of other key nutrients.

Iron

Iron is a necessary element for photosynthesis and is also a required element for the synthesis of chlorophyll; both processes are essential for healthy plant growth.

Molybdenum

This micro nutrient plays a role in enzyme production and in building amino acids, all of which can stimulate plant growth and increase health.

Copper

Copper is a micro nutrient that plays several key roles in plant development. It is important and necessary for photosynthesis; it is involved with many enzyme processes, and helps form cell walls and sturdy plant structures.

Manganese

Plays a role in photosynthesis and is also important in the building of chloroplasts.

Sodium

A beneficial element but not an essential element, It has been shown to helps plants thrive and it can act as a substitute for potassium for some plant functions, such as enzyme activation and photosynthesis.

Zinc

Zinc is a basic constituent of many plant enzymes and it also plays a key role in the formation of chlorophyll and nitrogen metabolism.

Cobalt

Can be beneficial to most plants and is essential in certain plants. Cobalt is known to be involved in protein synthesis and nitrogen fixation, both of which are important to plant growth and overall health.

Selenium

Another beneficial element, selenium has been shown to help plants in several ways, such as increasing water retention, increasing tolerance to oxidative stress, protecting plants against pests, and delay senescence (the process of aging and death).

Making Soil on Mars

The nutrients required would need to be mined and processed.