Comparative analysis of brassica rapa var. cymosa grown in hydroponic condition, lunar maria, and lunar highland regolith simulants: biochemical profiling and effects on drosophila melanogaster as an in vivo model

Cultivation in lunar regolith simulants alters plant biochemistry and induces early DNA damage in drosophila larvae without impairing adult health or behavior. The lunar maria simulant, in particular, promotes beneficial phytochemical traits and organismal resilience. These findings underscore both the challenges and potential of lunar agriculture, emphasizing the critical role of substrate choice in developing sustainable space farming systems.