# Merits of Different Lunar Regolith Simulants for Plant Growth Experiments **URL:** \ **Category:** Plant AWG Topics\ **Tags:** regolith, plant\ **Created:** [August 15, 2025, 8:09pm UTC](https://awg.osdr.space/t/merits-of-different-lunar-regolith-simulants-for-plant-growth-experiments/3284 "2025-08-15T20:09:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kevin\_Shaffman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/awg.osdr.space/kevin_shaffman/32/2622_2.png) [@Kevin\_Shaffman](https://awg.osdr.space/u/Kevin_Shaffman)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2025, 8:09pm UTC](https://awg.osdr.space/t/merits-of-different-lunar-regolith-simulants-for-plant-growth-experiments/3284/1 "2025-08-15T20:09:42Z")
Hello Everyone, I am a PhD student at the University of Washington, and I am designing several plant-regolith growth experiments. I am currently trying to decide which Lunar Regolith Simulant to buy. I am focusing on mare simulants, but I would be interested in hearing anyone’s experience with any Lunar Regolith Simulant. I know that the two main companies are Space Resource Technologies (SRT) and Off Planet Research (OPR). Does anyone have experience with the LMS-1 (SRT) or OPRL2N (OPR) and have any opinions on which one would be better for plant growth experiments? Or which one is a more accurate simulant? I would also be interested in hearing people’s opinions on the merits of mare vs highland regolith as a growth substrate for plants. –Kevin Shaffman (University of Washington) @borjabarbero @dr.richard.barker [@PlantAWG](https://awg.osdr.space/groups/plantawg) @rachelcrivero @harrison.coker ---
**Author:** ![pinedaalpa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/awg.osdr.space/pinedaalpa/32/2586_2.png) [@pinedaalpa](https://awg.osdr.space/u/pinedaalpa)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2025, 8:18pm UTC](https://awg.osdr.space/t/merits-of-different-lunar-regolith-simulants-for-plant-growth-experiments/3284/2 "2025-08-15T20:18:21Z")
Hey Kevin, I bought LMS-1 and some martian ones for my experiments back home. According to the spec sheet it is 99% similar. May be useful for some PoCs and quite cost efficient for early bird experimentation. It does not contain nanophase iron tho. Edit→make sure you wear a high quality face mask. PN95 or better. Moist the dust as well. ---
**Author:** ![rtscott2001](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/awg.osdr.space/rtscott2001/32/5_2.png) [@rtscott2001](https://awg.osdr.space/u/rtscott2001)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2025, 8:22pm UTC](https://awg.osdr.space/t/merits-of-different-lunar-regolith-simulants-for-plant-growth-experiments/3284/3 "2025-08-15T20:22:10Z")
There also in an entire sub-group project on this topic. So this thread is PERFECTLY timed 🙂 Thread here: [Regolith research subgroup](https://awg.osdr.space/t/regolith-research-subgroup/2344) And the next meeting is this Monday! Event here: [https://awg.osdr.space/t/lunar-regolith-subgroup/2479](https://awg.osdr.space/t/lunar-regolith-subgroup/2479) Contact @borjabarbero & @dr.richard.barker @rachelcrivero who i believe are leading this You should see all the calendar invites for the AWGs you belong to here: [https://awg.osdr.space/upcoming-events?view=month](https://awg.osdr.space/upcoming-events?view=month) ---
**Author:** ![Kevin\_Shaffman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/awg.osdr.space/kevin_shaffman/32/2622_2.png) [@Kevin\_Shaffman](https://awg.osdr.space/u/Kevin_Shaffman)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2025, 8:32pm UTC](https://awg.osdr.space/t/merits-of-different-lunar-regolith-simulants-for-plant-growth-experiments/3284/4 "2025-08-15T20:32:13Z")
Thank you, this sounds like a perfect place to ask my question! ---
**Author:** ![eszter.sas](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/awg.osdr.space/eszter.sas/32/1061_2.png) [@eszter.sas](https://awg.osdr.space/u/eszter.sas)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2025, 8:54pm UTC](https://awg.osdr.space/t/merits-of-different-lunar-regolith-simulants-for-plant-growth-experiments/3284/5 "2025-08-15T20:54:40Z")
@nicholas.brereton @stefania.sabau - As you have designed experiments and grown multiple species in regolith, you might have some useful feedback to share? ---
**Author:** ![borjabarbero](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/awg.osdr.space/borjabarbero/32/427_2.png) [@borjabarbero](https://awg.osdr.space/u/borjabarbero)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2025, 9:10pm UTC](https://awg.osdr.space/t/merits-of-different-lunar-regolith-simulants-for-plant-growth-experiments/3284/6 "2025-08-15T21:10:20Z")
Everyone welcome to join! Kevin feel free to ask any questions at the upcoming meeting. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Kevin\_Shaffman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/awg.osdr.space/kevin_shaffman/32/2622_2.png) [@Kevin\_Shaffman](https://awg.osdr.space/u/Kevin_Shaffman)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2025, 10:06pm UTC](https://awg.osdr.space/t/merits-of-different-lunar-regolith-simulants-for-plant-growth-experiments/3284/7 "2025-08-15T22:06:20Z")
I will be sure to do that.