Bacterial Strains Isolated in International Space Station Could Help Grow Plants in Mars

A team led by scientists at the University of Southern California characterized four strains of bacteria isolated from the International Space Station (ISS) that could help plants withstand stressful conditions in space.

They identified Methylobacterium species in different locations of the space station across two consecutive flights. The bacterial strains were found to grow optimally under extreme conditions in space. They have genetic sequences similar to Methylobacterium indicum which is involved in nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, plant growth promotion, abiotic stress tolerance, and biocontrol activity against plant pathogens.

The study provides essential insights into space farming.

For more details, read the article in Frontiers in Microbiology.