Abstract
As space exploration advances, identifying crops that can withstand extraterrestrial conditions is crucial for establishing sustainable life-support systems. Here, we examined the physiological response of two Chenopodium quinoa materials, Quinoa Real and Amarilla de Maranganí, to simulated Martian ultraviolet (UV) radiation at wavelengths of 180 nm, 250 nm, and 395 nm, compared to a control treatment simulating Earth-like UV (410 nm). Using time-to-event analysis, we found that shorter UV wavelengths (180 nm and 250 nm) significantly accelerated germination, with median germination times nearly three times faster than the control. The Kaplan–Meier and Cox Proportional Hazards models revealed a wavelength-dependent stimulation of germination, with the Amarilla de Maranganí variety consistently showing a better performance. Chlorophyll content index measurements further demonstrated that UV exposure, particularly at 180 nm, enhanced chlorophyll accumulation during early seedling development, suggesting an adaptive photoprotective response. These findings underscore quinoa’s resilience in germination and early chlorophyll production under UV-induced stress and support its potential as a candidate crop for Martian agriculture. This work contributes to astrobiological efforts aimed at designing robust agricultural systems capable of supporting long-duration human missions beyond Earth.
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