Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The experiment on growing watermelons in the most unexpected places was carried out by the research team of the Russian Antarctic Expedition of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI), together with the Agrophysical Research Institute and the Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
They tried to plant watermelons in an unexpected place, namely in Antarctica which is the coldest region on Earth. The area once recorded a freezing temperature of minus 89.2 degrees Celsius.
The research team attempted to plant watermelons in a greenhouse at the Vostok station. The greenhouse can increase the temperature and humidity for Watermelon to grow.
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They chose two pre-ripened varieties. One of the reasons is because it is able to adapt to low atmospheric pressure and little oxygen in the greenhouse.
The seeds are planted in a thin layer of soil substitute and create a special light similar to sunlight. They also pollinate all plants in place of insects.
The results were quite encouraging because the seeds grew well. After 103 days, there were eight ripe and sweet watermelons, quoted from Live Science, Friday (4/8/2023).
A report by the Russian Geographical Society says that each fruit grows to weigh about 1 kilogram. The diameter of the watermelon reaches 13 centimeters.
This result pleased scientists living in the Antarctic region. AARI chief geophysicist Andrei Teplyakov says everyone can remember what summer felt like in that coldest place.
Watermelon is another planting product that was successfully carried out at Vostok Station. As of 2020, researchers have grown crops such as dill, basil, parsley, aurgula and cabbage.
The researchers already have other fruit ready to plant, including blackberries, blueberries and strawberries.
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
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