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Scientists have said that it might be possible to grow tea on the Moon. Researchers from the University of Kent in the UK believe the lunar soil is good enough for tea plants to grow in. Lead researcher Professor Nigel Mason said: "We are at the very earliest stages of research into space agriculture." He added: "It is reassuring that we may be able to provide access to the great British tradition of a tea break." This is good news for astronauts who visit the Moon in the future. They will be able to have a cup of Moon-grown tea. It could also be good news for farmers who struggle to grow crops in poor soil. Researchers hope farmers worldwide will be able to farm even in poor soil.
Professor Mason and his team investigated whether tea plants could grow in lunar and Martian soil. He said: "Our experiments reveal that…plants such as tea may be cultivated in lunar soil within lunar greenhouses, allowing inhabitants of such bases some degree of [independence] and access to fresh food." The researchers planted tea in a special soil they made that is close to the type of soil found on the Moon and on Mars. Fellow researcher Dr Sara Lopez-Gomollon was happy with her findings. She said: "The results of this project are very encouraging, as they demonstrate that tea…can be grown in lunar soil." Unfortunately, the tea plants did not grow in the Martian soil.
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