Can Moss & Fungi Help us Explore Both Earth and Space?

Can Moss & Fungi Help us Explore Both Earth and Space?

By Kayla, Founder, Third Orbit Flora

 

As we move farther into the future, exploring more of our one Earth is essential to understanding how we might help our own planet and survive in space. Two of our basic needs for survival on Earth and in space are breathable air and edible food with enough nutrients, which plants provide.

While we have been experimenting with plants in space, and space-like conditions since the 1960's, there is still so much to learn! One of the great topics for exploration with plant life is its symbiotic relationship with fungi. This relationship has allowed plant and fungi to thrive and survive in almost every condition the world has thrown at them for 450 million years. How have they done this? We may be getting closer to an answer.  

Researcher Björn Hamberger, a James K. Billman Jr., M.D., Endowed Professor in the College of Natural Science's Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, recently published an article in The Plant Journal exploring this relationship. The article reports that the team observed how mosses and fungi interacted in different terrariums, and witnessed a third piece that could help explain how plants and fungi exchange nutrients and information. 

This third piece is endobacteria. Historically, endobacteria have not been considered as beneficial to fungi, but when the endobacteria were removed, the communication seemed to stop. Some of the effects that typically happen within this symbiotic relationship stopped happening when the bacteria were removed. 

This indicates that the endobacteria could play an essential role in how these organisms communicate and co-exist. Investigating the intricate dynamics of plant-fungi interactions, including the intriguing role of endobacteria, not only expands our understanding of life on Earth but also holds promise for shaping our future endeavors in both terrestrial and extraterrestrial exploration.

- Kayla, Third Orbit Flora

If you are interested in reading more about the study, please see the article in Science Daily here: 

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240207195112.htm

Photo Credit: AI generated Adobe stock image showing an example of moss and fungi together.

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