In the News: From Peru to Outer Space

Fig.1. Illustration of a plant growth chamber on Mars (Credit: NASA, 2015)

Scientists from NASA have teamed up with the International Potato Center (CIP) in Peru to grow potatoes in Mars-like conditions for the benefit of possible manned-missions to our neighboring planet. This experiment - perhaps inspired by Mark Watney of The Martian - is just another exciting piece of news in agriculture and food security this month.

From ancient Scandinavia to outer space, collections are pushing the boundaries of our agricultural understanding. They reveal the history of food security and offer a future for agriculture in a world that must feed 7.4 billion people.

• Taking a lesson from the International Space Station, this farmer and engineer created an efficient vertical farm which produces sustainable and local food: “Astronauts And Arugula: Using Space-Station Technology To Grow Food,” Smithsonian Magazine (29 January 2016)

• Around 200,000 fish bones found in an archaeological site in Sweden reveal the earliest evidence of fermentation in Scandinavia and shed light on early agriculture in the area: “Something Rotten In Scandinavia: The World’s Earliest Evidence Of Fermentation,” Journal of Archaeological Science (February 2016)

• Tree rings and ice cores paint a picture of ancient climate cooling that triggered food shortages and changed the course of empires: “How Changing Climates Shape the Fate of Empires,” Washington Post (08 February 2016)

• These small but extremely important animals are going in liquid nitrogen in an attempt to preserve their biodiversity for future generations: “Sperm Bank For Bees Generates A Buzz In Fargo,” MPR News (08 February 2016)