Astronauts on Mars could mix their own waste with regolith to create soil-like materials to grow crops in greenhouses. (Image credit: NASA)

Human sewage combined with lunar or Martian regolith could provide the necessary nutrients to grow crops on the moon and Mars, a new experiment has shown.

"In lunar and Martian outposts, organic wastes will be key to generating healthy, productive soils," said study leader Harrison Coker of Texas A&M University in a statement . "By weathering simulant soils from the moon and Mars with organic waste streams, it was revealed that many essential plant nutrients can be harvested from surface minerals."

The idea evokes the actions of stranded astronaut Mark Watney in both the novel and movie versions of " The Martian ," who uses his own waste to help fertilize Martian regolith to grow crops to feed himself.

If humans are to create permanent bases on the moon or Mars, they are going to have to learn to live off the land — especially on Mars, where the journey time to Earth…