The Effect of Valerian Root Extract on Rice Germination in Mojave Mars Regolith

School Name

Spring Valley High School

Grade Level

11th Grade

Presentation Topic

Botany

Presentation Type

Non-Mentored

Abstract

Starting with the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969, every development in modern space travel has brought increasing interest towards the search for a habitable planet. While much effort is put into trying to find a habitable planet, research is also done regarding the planets within the solar system, specifically Mars. Research has shown that genetically modified rice can reach germination in simulated martian regolith (Gann, 2023). Valproate is a chemical that is able to increase expression in the SnRK1a gene, which plays a key role in sugar signaling and plant growth. As such, the purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a valproate supplement added to wild type rice grown in simulated martian regolith, without any genetic modifications. It was hypothesized that the addition of valerian root extract, a liquid commonly used for medicinal purposes which contains the chemical, would lead to increased plant growth and germination rate. 30 plastic containers were filled with 30g of MMS-1, and 3 wild type rice seeds were planted in each container. Containers were split into 6 groups: 0mL, 2mL, 4mL, 6mL, 8mL, and 10mL. The rice seedlings were left to germinate for 5 days at around 30°C. All groups were watered daily with desalinated water. The study found no germination of any rice seeds in any group. Therefore, there was no significant evidence to suggest that the addition of valproate will increase the growth and germination rate of rice in martian regolith.

Location

RITA 281

Start Date

3-23-2024 9:45 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 23rd, 9:45 AM

The Effect of Valerian Root Extract on Rice Germination in Mojave Mars Regolith

RITA 281

Starting with the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969, every development in modern space travel has brought increasing interest towards the search for a habitable planet. While much effort is put into trying to find a habitable planet, research is also done regarding the planets within the solar system, specifically Mars. Research has shown that genetically modified rice can reach germination in simulated martian regolith (Gann, 2023). Valproate is a chemical that is able to increase expression in the SnRK1a gene, which plays a key role in sugar signaling and plant growth. As such, the purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a valproate supplement added to wild type rice grown in simulated martian regolith, without any genetic modifications. It was hypothesized that the addition of valerian root extract, a liquid commonly used for medicinal purposes which contains the chemical, would lead to increased plant growth and germination rate. 30 plastic containers were filled with 30g of MMS-1, and 3 wild type rice seeds were planted in each container. Containers were split into 6 groups: 0mL, 2mL, 4mL, 6mL, 8mL, and 10mL. The rice seedlings were left to germinate for 5 days at around 30°C. All groups were watered daily with desalinated water. The study found no germination of any rice seeds in any group. Therefore, there was no significant evidence to suggest that the addition of valproate will increase the growth and germination rate of rice in martian regolith.