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#26 2018-10-28 00:24:25
Re: What would be the best method of maintaining fertile fields?
Processing the human waste is the trick
Indole in human feces is helpful in plants, by the way. 
I'm Jayson from the Philippines. Graduate of Master of Science in Botany at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna. I am specializing in Plant Physiology, and have a minor degree in Agronomy. My research interests are Phytoremediation, Plant-Microbe Interaction, Plant Nutrition, and Plant Stress Physiology.
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#27 2018-10-28 08:48:25
- Oldfart1939
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- Registered: 2016-11-26
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Re: What would be the best method of maintaining fertile fields?
The key to fertility is Nitrogen. We need to have a source; either atmospheric or from minerals found there. Otherwise, bring loads of Ammonium Nitrate from Earth. All the comments regarding Nitrogen fixation are meaningless w/o and Nitrogen in the atmosphere where we are farming.
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#28 2018-10-28 09:08:15
Re: What would be the best method of maintaining fertile fields?
The key to fertility is Nitrogen. .
Oldfart1939, don't forget the Phosphorus and Potassium. NPK are macronutrients and more needed by plants. However, to obtain more phosphate, I recommend planting chickpea because they exude more organic acid in the soil to obtain a phosphorus. However, since legumes need rhizobia to enhance nodulation and nitrogen fixation, inoculation of Rhizobia sp. in seeds before sowing must do.
I'm Jayson from the Philippines. Graduate of Master of Science in Botany at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna. I am specializing in Plant Physiology, and have a minor degree in Agronomy. My research interests are Phytoremediation, Plant-Microbe Interaction, Plant Nutrition, and Plant Stress Physiology.
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#29 2018-10-28 12:46:58
- Oldfart1939
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Re: What would be the best method of maintaining fertile fields?
My point is the overall elemental availability in Martian regolith. I fully understand the thought process you are using, but it assumes a similar soil composition chemically to Earth. Having soils on Earth which are deficient in the elements you listed is the reason for using fertilizers.
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#30 2018-10-28 12:57:47
Re: What would be the best method of maintaining fertile fields?
My point is the overall elemental availability in Martian regolith.
By the way, one of my worries is the Martian regolith they have a radiation like Gamma rays. Utilizing collected Martian regolith for planting could affect the growth of the plant and dangerous to settlers also, which could increase the health risk.
If we talk hydroponics, lots of mineral salts supply must be transported in Mars and the Martian settlers will be the one to prepare a nutrient solution like "modified Hoagland's solution".
Last edited by jfenciso (2018-10-28 12:58:34)
I'm Jayson from the Philippines. Graduate of Master of Science in Botany at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna. I am specializing in Plant Physiology, and have a minor degree in Agronomy. My research interests are Phytoremediation, Plant-Microbe Interaction, Plant Nutrition, and Plant Stress Physiology.
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#31 2018-10-28 16:33:33
- SpaceNut
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Re: What would be the best method of maintaining fertile fields?
Mars regolith processing is a must and hydroponic with media to hold the plants will mean the limits of shipping mass to mars will be exceeded.
Have replied to the radiation elsewhere... http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=8793
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#32 2018-10-29 04:58:47
Re: What would be the best method of maintaining fertile fields?
a thing that holds the plant in hydroponics is called "Wick system", to reduce the shipping mass, I recommend the use of coconut husk, we call it coco coir. They are lightweight compared to vermicullite or perlite.
I'm Jayson from the Philippines. Graduate of Master of Science in Botany at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna. I am specializing in Plant Physiology, and have a minor degree in Agronomy. My research interests are Phytoremediation, Plant-Microbe Interaction, Plant Nutrition, and Plant Stress Physiology.
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#33 2022-08-26 05:13:16
- Mars_B4_Moon
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- Registered: 2006-03-23
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Re: What would be the best method of maintaining fertile fields?
Combatting the fertilizer crisis – An Icarda Q&A
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/962682
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