After putting only adult worms into mock Martian soil, two babies were discovered. It's safe to say the worms got down and dirty. (Credit: Wieger Wamelink) Worms can not only survive in faux Martian soil — they can start a new generation. That's the conclusion from biologist Wieger Wamelink who recently discovered two baby worms in his simulated Mars soil experiment. Since 2013, scientists from Wageningen University & Research have been growing crops in Mars and moon soil simulants designed by NASA. They’ve been successful in growing edible crops (including green beans, peas, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, and more), according to a news release. That's great, but it needs to become a sustainable agricultural ecosystem. And they’re looking to earthworms for help.
Worms play an important role in Earth's soil health. They break down and recycle dead organic matter like old plants, mixing it with the soil. Worms also burrow throughout ...
