Sage-Tips

Why couldnt Mark Watney replant potatoes?

Airlock Breach When Airlock 1 breached, causing a gaping hole in The Hab, the potatoes were freeze dried and the bacteria in the soil assumed dead. Because of this Mark was unable to grow any more potatoes and could only eat the ones he still had with him.

Why did Mark Watney not really need to use waste as fertilizer?

Human waste has human pathogens in it. Crops grown from soil fertilized that way would have those pathogens on or inside of them. But Watney also uses the crew’s leftover waste from the station’s toilet, which could mean that he could have contracted his crew members’ pathogens as well.

Why doesn Mark Watney grow more potatoes?

2 Answers. Because he lacked the resources to start over. All the plants/potatoes were dead from lack of oxygen and sub freezing temperature. The bacteria in the poop soil as well.

Would growing potatoes on Mars work?

You can survive on potatoes alone, but only for so long. Those who have tried have lost a great deal of weight. Recent experiments have demonstrated that potatoes can grow on Mars, but likely only varieties that can tolerate the salty Martian soil.

Could you grow food on Mars like in the Martian?

Fortunately, all the necessary nutrients have been detected in Martian regolith by Mars probes or in Martian meteorites that have landed on Earth. Dutch researchers demonstrated that crops such as tomato, cress, and mustard could grow in Martian regolith simulant, suggesting that they could grow on Mars.

Why is urine good for plants?

Urine is chock full of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, which are the nutrients plants need to thrive—and the main ingredients in common mineral fertilizers.

How many potatoes does mark leave behind on Mars?

Astronaut and botanist Mark Watney (played by Matt Damon in the film) finds himself stranded on Mars fighting to survive without much more than his brain. One of the keys to Watney’s survival is twelve fresh potatoes sent with the astronauts to Mars for a Thanksgiving meal during their trip.

Is there potatoes on Mars?

In The Martian, potatoes are successfully harvested after 48 sols (a Martian solar day – 24 hours 39 minutes long), but the success of the venture does not last: Watney’s potato-growing is put to an abrupt end as the front of his habitat blows off, exposing his entire crop to the Martian air.

How did Mark Watney grow plants on Mars?

In The Martian, Watney creates a large cylindrical space contained by clear plastic sheets, into which he dumps 126 square meters of Martian soil. Mars soil simulants have been found to hold water better than Earth soil and produce better growth of plant species.

Could the Martian grow potatoes?

How did Martian potatoes survive?

Martian Potatoes. In order to survive, he, being a botanist, grows potatoes on the parched planet under controlled conditions and actually manages to survive for a long time (he also has vitamin supplements through pills, by the way).

Is it possible to grow potatoes on Mars?

Yes, he grows potatoes on Mars. He takes the soil and uses his feces as a fertilizer to make it work. Researchers at NASA and International Potato Center have conducted some experiments.

What happened to Mark Watney in the Martian?

In the movie, the protagonist Mark Watney, played by Matt Damon, is an astronaut who travels to Mars along with a crew of 5 members. Complications arise early on and Watney ends up being stranded on the planet. He has to survive until the crew of the next mission arrives to rescue him.

Why did mark not eat the potatoes in the Hab?

When Airlock 1 breached, causing a gaping hole in The Hab, the potatoes were freeze dried and the bacteria in the soil assumed dead. Because of this Mark was unable to grow any more potatoes and could only eat the ones he still had with him.