Space Grant Consortium - University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

planted on the surface of the moon or Mars; Optunia noquisi or Star. There is abundant research
for O. horticulture references and medicinal applications.
O. Varieties @ High-Altitude. During the course of experimentation, discussions, and seminars
through the months of 2008, the possibility of using cacti as another food source for sustainable
high-altitude and extra-terrestrial use came to the forefront for viable consideration. Through a
collaborative effort, several experiments were developed and run simultaneously at elevations of;
10,100 feet in Divide, CO, 4,090’ in El Paso, TX, and 695’ in Green Bay, WI using Cpyr
amended JSC Lunar-1A Simulant.
Hypothesis2. Cpyr amended soils, PPR, and JSC Lunar-1A Simulant will make a
difference in O. growth at cold, high-altitude temperatures.
Hypothesis3. O. will not grow as rapidly in unaugmented media at cold, highaltitude
regions.
Dr Konings-Dudin guided our team with our study of O., providing us each six pads (6
nopals) which were subsequently planted in late September. Two pads were planted in
PPR+Cpyr+sand+mulch, two pads in PPR+Cpyr+mulch, and two in Lunar+Cpyr+mulch.
Through 2008 to today, the lower elevation pads remain at ambient air of