I hypothesize that plants can be grown without soil on Mars because all they need is water and nutrients, which can be provided in alternative ways. If these essential needs are met, the plants should grow well, even in Mars’ harsh conditions where soil is not suitable for plant growth.

Why cant plants can’t grow on Mars:

Growing plants on Mars is very difficult because the environment is not like Earth. The soil (regolith) has no nutrients and contains harmful chemicals called perchlorates, which can be toxic to plants. The air is mostly carbon dioxide with almost no oxygen, and the low air pressure makes water freeze or evaporate quickly. Mars is also extremely cold, with temperatures dropping to -80°C (-112°F), which can kill plants. There is also less sunlight because Mars is farther from the Sun, and dust storms can block light, making it harder for plants to do photosynthesis (the process plants use to make food). Another big challenge is radiation, which is much stronger than on Earth and can damage plants. 

Best plants for Mars:

Some plants are better suited to grow on Mars than others. Plants like potatoes, lettuce, and radishes are good choices because they grow quickly and don’t need a lot of space. They can also survive in cold temperatures, which is important since Mars is very cold. Scientists are studying these plants to see how they can grow with less water and in special Martian soil. Fast-growing plants like these can give astronauts fresh food and help them survive on Mars  

How plants help austronauts:

Plants are not just food for astronauts—they also help create a safe environment. When plants grow, they take in carbon dioxide (CO₂) and release oxygen, which astronauts need to breathe. Plants also help clean the air, making it fresher and safer for astronauts to live in space. Fresh food from plants can give astronauts important nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, to stay healthy. Growing plants in space or on Mars can make astronauts feel more connected to Earth, and can improve their mood and mental health during long missions.

The solution to this problem:

Growing plants on Mars is difficult, but scientists have found ways to make it possible. Since Martian soil lacks nutrients and contains harmful chemicals, scientists can remove the toxins and mix in essential minerals to help plants grow. Another option is to avoid soil altogether by using hydroponics, where plants grow in nutrient-rich water, or aeroponics, where plant roots hang in the air and are sprayed with water and nutrients. To protect plants from Mars' extreme cold and weak atmosphere, astronauts can build greenhouses with controlled temperature, oxygen, and artificial sunlight. Water for the plants can come from melting ice found on Mars or recycling astronaut waste. Because Mars has no strong atmosphere to block dangerous space radiation, greenhouses can be covered with layers of Martian soil or special protective materials. Using these smart solutions, future astronauts may be able to grow fresh food and survive on Mars for long periods.

• Independent Variable: Type of material used (Compost, Paper Tissues, Cotton Pads).
• Dependent Variable: Plant health (Growth, color, size).
• Controlled Variables: Water, light, temperature, plant type, and time.

• Fill one pot with soil
• Fill the other with compost
• Fill the last one with paper tissues and cotton pads(with extra water)
• Plant a seed (lentils)
• Water it
• Place it neer sunlight

Obesrvation of project: 

In my experiment, I tested different materials—paper tissues, cotton pads, compost, and soil—to see which one helps plants grow best. I found that soil was the best for healthy plant growth, but seeds took longer to sprout compared to paper tissues and cotton pads.

Seeds in paper tissues and cotton pads grew faster, but their roots were weak and fragile.

Compost has some important nutrients, but it is missing others. Because of this, plants grown in compost were weaker and sometimes didn’t survive.

Objective:
To determine if lentils can grow in subtitutes of soil.

Method:
I planted lentils in containers with different growth media: compost, coffee grounds, dried leaves, paper tissues, and cotton pads. These materials were used as substitutes for soil that we use to grow plants in earth. The containers were placed under my window but not too close,because mars doe not have much sunlight.

Results:

• Lentil Growth:
  • Compost: Lentils showed not the best growth with compost.It did not grow as I thought.With lots of nutrients and minerals it does lack the more important one,thats why it didint grow as well.The coffee ground did have some benefical nutrients to help and the dried leaves,while the dried leaves helped retain moisture by reducing evaporation.
  • Paper Tissues: Lentils do prefer moist and wet enviroments and the cotton pads did that.While they kept moisture the paper tissues held te lentils and gave them support while growing.You could also see the lentils sprouting with no dirt covering them.But the roots were very weak and were very fragile.

Conclusion:
Lentils grew best in paper tissues and cotton pads.This is because of the moisture and healthy enviroment it had but,the roots were very weak.

Based on my experiment, growing lentils in soil results in a healthy plant with green leaves and strong roots. When compared to paper tissues and cotton pads, the seeds sprouted and grew, but the roots were weak and could break easily. Some plants can survive in these materials, but many will not.

Using only pure compost did not support proper plant growth, showing that compost alone is not as good as we might think.

This experiment is important when thinking about growing plants on Mars. Since Mars does not have natural soil like Earth, scientists will need to find the best materials to help plants grow. My results show that a strong growing medium is important for plant survival, which could help in future space farming

The results of growing plants in substitutes like compost, coffee grounds, and cotton pads can help us grow food in places where soil isn’t available, like on Mars or in space. This research can teach scientists how to grow plants using materials found on other planets or in space, helping astronauts grow their own food during long missions. It could also be useful on Earth for growing plants in areas with poor or no soil, like in cities or dry regions.

A source of error in my experiment was overwatering. Plants on Mars would have very little water, but I gave them too much, which may have hurt their growth. Another error was not giving them enough sunlight. Plants need light to grow, and without enough, they may not have grown as well. These mistakes could have affected my results.

https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/can-grass-and-trees-grow-mars?utm_

https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-designer-plants-on-mars/?utm_

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/scientists-explore-how-to-grow-crops-on-mars/7595327.html?utm_

https://www.space.com/mars-plants-alfalfa-bacteria-project?utm_

https://www.marssociety.ca/2020/09/28/growing-food-on-mars-isru-part-4/?utm_

I would like to thank my science teacher, Amina Khalid, for her help and guidance throughout my project. She gave me great advice and always supported me.

I also want to thank my mom for always helping me with the research and for encouraging me every step of the way