1. The Effects of the Perchlorate Ion in Simulated Martian Soil on Solanum lycopersicum Seed Germination in Microgravity
Sabrina Benitez (Co-Principal Investigator)
Juan Pablo Flanagan (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sofia Escobar (Co-Principal Investigator)
Laura Nikstad (Teacher Facilitator)
International Baccalaureate at Lamar Academy
McAllen, Texas

2. Mars: Recent discoveries of water on Mars led us toward the study of seed germination and sustainability on Mars
The Martian (2015 film): The film’s accurate depiction of life and plant growth on Mars inspired our experimental design and sparked our interest
Mauna Loa (Volcano): This volcano in Hawaii is the source of our Martian soil simulant

3. How does the perchlorate ion in simulated Martian soil affect Solanum lycopersicum seed germination in microgravity?

4. Experimental Design

5. Experimental Design Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Earth Conditions
Earth gravity
Earth soil with 15 tomato seeds
Distilled water
Fixative
Martian Soil
Earth gravity
Martian simulated soil (with sodium perchlorate) with 15 tomato seeds
Distilled water
Fixative
Martian Soil & Microgravity
Microgravity
Martian simulated soil (with sodium perchlorate) with 15 tomato seeds
Distilled water
Fixative
3.0 mL distilled water
10.6 g soil
0.03 g sodium perchlorate NaClO4

6. Analyzing Results Dry weight of the germinated seedlings
Count germinated and ungerminated seeds
Dry and weigh
Radicle Length
Measure radicle length
Count lateral roots
Examine lateral root position

7. Hypothesis
How does the perchlorate ion in simulated Martian soil affect Solanum lycopersicum seed germination in microgravity?
Limited seed growth in Group 2 and Group 3
High solute (perchlorate) concentration in soil
Could inhibit osmosis
Radicle Length and Lateral Root Structure
Perchlorate → shorter radicals
Microgravity → lateral root growth evenly distributed along radical rather than concentrated at the end

8. Ground Truth Challenges
Seed count
Initial seed count too low
Trials conducted to optimize seed count
Water volume
Too little → no growth
Too much → drown the seeds
FME Mini-Lab Size
Limited volume
Shape challenges
Extract the seedlings without destroying them
Disperse water throughout the soil sample
Soil types
Initial soil = chunky and dry
Sifted to form powdery, fine grain soil
Allows better diffusion of water
Easier to access germinated seeds without destroying them

10. Image References
The Hubble Heritage Team. Mars Near Opposition : Digital image. HubbleSite. NASA, 3 Nov
Web. 9 June <
A Still from The Martian. Digital image. Matt Damon's The Martian Rules North American Box Office. NDTV
Movies, 26 Oct Web. 9 June 2016.
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Mauna Loa. Digital image. Wired. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 June 2016.
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The Martian: potato growth on Mars. Digital image. Modern Farmer. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 June 2016.
<Modernfarmer.com>.
Dicotyledonous Root. Digital image. Open Stax CNX. RICE, n.d. Web. 9 June 2016.
Germination Plant Picture. Digital image. Free Photos. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 June 2016.
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A new plant emerging from the seed during germination. Digital image.Study. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 June 2016.
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