Exploration on Mars has caught the attention of many experts, scientists, and nations across the globe. However, there are a multitude of challenges that must be addressed before sending humans to Mars. This includes huge costs within the mission and even problematic issues revolving around human health within Martian conditions. Additionally, studies have found that cultivating crops in the Martian regolith could significantly reduce the cost of the mission. However, Martian regolith isn’t suitable for plants to grow in, due to its lack of organic material. Lately, Spirulina has also been used in agriculture to enhance plant growth, yield, and seed germination. However, there isn’t any information on whether Spirulina can be used in Martian regolith to help promote plant growth. In this study, it was hypothesised that Spirulina can be used in Martian regolith as either a substrate or a supplement, and in the end, help promote plant growth of Brassica oleracea var. capatita (cabbage). This study was done with the MGS-1 Martian simulant, the most recent, and up-to-date simulant that resembles the closest to Martian regolith. Ultimately, only 4 seeds germinated in Part A, while 2 germinated in Part B. In Part C, all substrates showed growth of Cabbage. Overall, the hypothesis was refuted, as the cabbage seeds failed to germinate within the MGS-1 simulant with Spirulina, furthermore indicating that the simulants’ characteristics which resemble Martian regolith won’t be suitable for plant growth, even when adding organic matter such as Spirulina arthrospira. However, it was found in Part C that letting the seeds germinate first on paper, before planting could significantly promote plant growth in the MGS-1 Substrates.

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