The Mother Tree

The Mother Tree is referring to the idea of a genetically modified tree created on Earth and shipped to Mars as a seed that grows in a greenhouse and the seeds are collected and planted outside in the Martian regolith and atmosphere to bring life and an ecosystem in the terraforming of Mars. It also has connotations to the Tree of Life that Charles Darwin used as a metaphor to describe the beginnings of life On the Origin of Species.

3D sketch of a Mars tension fabric greenhouse with genetically modified plants, gene edited Pine trees or Conifers

Inside the greenhouse with LED pink grow lights and grow tables

Science fiction concept

With the help of artificial intelligence, computational genomics, and CRISPR gene editing humans could create genetically modified seeds with synthetic biology and agrobacterium from extremophiles on planet Earth. Earth could ship batches of genetically varied seeds to Mars to test and see which plants are viable and perform best in the Martian greenhouse and outdoors. The Mother Tree is chosen and the seedlings are cultivated in mass outdoors to terraform Mars with an organic ecosystem or precision seeding rows.

Genetic modifications

Genetic modifications made on Pine trees, Conifers, or Alpine trees and other trees with needles that are already good at withstanding cold, barren, and extreme conditions

Temperature resistance

Incorporating genes from cryoprotectants like glycerol.

Drought resistance

CAM photosynthesis genes from succulents and Cacti and also xerophyte genes.

Dust storm resistance

Pine needles and the outer surface of the tree could be covered with a cuticle surface of epicuticular wax to repel dust accumulation and to help keep the surface clean.

UV radiation resistance

Ultra violet light protection could be provided by adding genetic traits from flavonoids and antioxidants to help prevent photooxidation of plant cells.

Photosynthesis

Increase their photosynthesis and carbon sequestration intake to create more oxygen and grow faster.

Nitrogen fixation

Nitrogen fixation with synthetic nitrogen-fixing roots that use energy from the plant to nitrogen fixate without a symbiotic relationship with a bacteria present.

Deep roots

A deep Taproot that extends hundreds of feet down to get under the martian frozen top soil and to the deeper aquifers or groundwater on Mars.

Salt tolerance

Salt-tolerant with halophytes.

Low atmospheric pressure resistance

To survive in the low atmospheric pressure of Mars, which is .06% that of Earths, genes could be added that survive in high altitude conditions like Alpines, Pines, Spruce, Fir, Larch, or Junipers. Genetically modifying the stoma to help regulate water loss.

Fast reproduction

See also: Apomixis

A quick and large seed production, the tree could reproduce asexually without needing to flower. stolon roots could be genetically added so other trees could sprout up from those subsurface horizontal roots. Anemochory is seed dispersal blown by wind/dust storm and they can be either flyers, rollers, or throwers.

References