About Trinity Griffus

As the reality of space missions to other planets in our solar system and the potential for setting up bases on said planets comes closer to fruition, a major question to ask is how we could establish a reliable and sustainable food source. My research builds upon my previous project from last semester, which focuses on utilizing in situ resources to build gardens on exoplanets with the assistance of mycorrhizae fungi. Regolith would be the most abundant resource that could be used to establish gardens for food suitability. My research question is 'How well will the mycorrhizae Rhizophagus irregularis assist in plant resource acquisition, water stress reduction, and improve growth for Helianthus annuus grown in simulated Martian and Lunar regolith?'. If the fungi prove to be efficient in improving plant resource acquisition and reducing water stress, it could have far-reaching implications not just for plants grown in exoplanet environments but also for boosting agricultural and food productivity in drought-affected climates in New Mexico and other regions. This is particularly important given the ongoing and long-lasting effects of climate change around the world.