Scientists Grow Watermelons in Antarctica During Winter

Scientists have succeeded in growing watermelons during winter in Antarctica

July at Vostok Station, located in Antarctica, means winter with extremely low temperatures and darkness that lasts most of the day.

Therefore, it is almost impossible for almost any type of plant to live in Antarctica, including watermelons.

There were 8 watermelons that were successfully grown in the research station’s greenhouse

Launch The Washington PostTuesday, August 8, 2023, this extreme winter gave Russian scientists living there “special treatment”.

They grow watermelons which are also part of an ongoing farming experiment.

Researchers in Russian agriculture say they managed to grow at least eight watermelons in the research station’s greenhouse as part of a wider initiative to grow crops there.

Source by University of Antarctica

Experiment to test the potential of agriculture in space

The agricultural experiment by growing watermelons in Antarctica is also meant to test the potential of agricultural production in outer space outposts.

Less than 1,000 miles away from the South Pole, the research station is in an icy terrain that in 1983 was home to the lowest recorded air temperature on Earth: minus-128.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Planted without using soil and sunlight

Not only watermelons, scientists have also succeeded in growing tomatoes, peppers and herbaceous plants in this special greenhouse located in Antarctica.

Watermelon grown there does not use soil at all and sunlight.

These watermelons are grown using a combination of materials that can replace the role of soil and sun, using fertilizers and special lighting.

Without the help of animals for the pollination process

There is no help from other animals in fertilization such as bees and other pollinating animals.

In this process, scientists pollinate each plant manually by hand.

Scientists managed to grow and harvest eight watermelons.

There are even watermelons that are up to 5.11 inches in diameter, and the heaviest ones are around 2.2 pounds.

Source by Gfycat

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Courtesy of Unsplash/Torsten Dederichs

2023-08-08 07:55:44
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