Scientists say they can grow tea on the Moon
Scientists have said that it might be possible to grow tea on the Moon. Researchers from the University of Kent in the UK believe the lunar soil is good enough for tea plants to grow in. Lead researcher Professor Nigel Mason said: "We are at the very earliest stages of research into space agriculture." He added: "It is reassuring that we may be able to provide access to the great British tradition of a tea break." This is good news for astronauts who visit the Moon in the future. They will be able to have a cup of Moon-grown tea. It could also be good news for farmers who struggle to grow crops in poor soil. Researchers hope farmers worldwide will be able to farm even in poor soil.
科學家表示，在月球上種植茶葉或許將成為現實。英國肯特大學研究人員認為，月球土壤的性質足以讓茶樹生長。首席研究員奈傑爾·梅森教授表示：「我們正處於太空農業研究的萌芽階段」，並補充道：「令人振奮的是，未來我們或許能在太空延續英國『喝茶時光』的偉大傳統。」這對未來登月的太空人無疑是個好消息——他們將有機會品嚐月球培育的茶飲。對於在貧瘠土地間掙扎的農民而言，此項研究同樣帶來曙光，研究團隊期望全球農民未來能在各類劣質土壤中成功耕種。
Professor Mason and his team investigated whether tea plants could grow in lunar and Martian soil. He said: "Our experiments reveal that…plants such as tea may be cultivated in lunar soil within lunar greenhouses, allowing inhabitants of such bases some degree of [independence] and access to fresh food." The researchers planted tea in a special soil they made that is close to the type of soil found on the Moon and on Mars. Fellow researcher Dr Sara Lopez-Gomollon was happy with her findings. She said: "The results of this project are very encouraging, as they demonstrate that tea…can be grown in lunar soil." Unfortunately, the tea plants did not grow in the Martian soil.
梅森教授的團隊針對茶樹在月球與火星土壤的生長可能性展開實驗，他指出：「研究顯示...茶葉等植物可在月球溫室的月壤中培育，這將使月球基地居民獲得一定程度的自給能力與新鮮食物來源。」團隊使用模擬月球與火星成分的特製土壤進行栽培，共同研究員薩拉・洛佩茲-戈莫隆博士對成果感到欣喜：「實驗結果令人振奮，證實茶葉確實能在月壤中生長。」不過遺憾的是，火星土壤並未成功培育出茶樹。
•Lunar (adj.) - Relating to the moon.
•Martian (adj.) - Relating to Mars.
•Agriculture (n.) - Farming.
•Reassuring (adj.) - Comforting.
•Astronauts (n.) - Space travelers.
•Investigated (v.) - Studied.
•Cultivated (v.) - Grown.
•Inhabitants (n.) - Residents.
•Independence (n.) - Self-reliance.
•Encouraging (adj.) - Promising.
