Paving the way for human beings to emigrate to other planets？ Watermelon is planted at 89 degrees below zero in Antarctica.

　　▲ After 103 days of hard work, Russian scientists successfully planted watermelons in the cold Antarctic (pictured from the Russian Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute)

　　When it comes to the North and South Poles, it is generally associated with freezing weather, animals and plants are difficult to survive, and all materials have to rely on long-distance external supplies; However, Russian scientists at Vostok Station (also known as Oriental Station) in Antarctica, after three months of hard work, have successfully planted delicious watermelons in the harsh polar climate recently.

　　According to foreign media reports, this agricultural feat is part of the experiment at Vostok Station, a Russian research station located at the Pole of Cold. It was established by the former Soviet Union in 1957 and is famous for recording the lowest natural temperature on the earth-89.2 C, which is considered as the coldest place on the earth.

　　In order to make the greenhouse in Vostok Station more suitable for watermelon growth, Russia has created an "oasis" in the cold Antarctic in combination with the staff of the scientific research station, the Institute of Agricultural Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Biomedical Problems. Within this range, the air temperature and humidity can be raised to conditions conducive to the growth of juicy fruits. When selecting watermelon varieties, two watermelons that are relatively suitable for the low pressure and hypoxia environment in the greenhouse are specially selected.

　　The researchers buried the seeds in a thin layer of soil substitute, used special lighting equipment imitating sunlight, and "pollinated" artificially. After 103 days of hard work, they finally planted eight "mature and sweet fruits" in July, with the largest diameter of 13 cm and the weight of about 1 kg.

　　The report pointed out that this experiment not only proved that watermelon can be planted in the coldest place on earth under proper conditions, but also provided an exciting food source for scientists living in harsh conditions in Antarctica. Next, we will try to cultivate other fruits such as blueberries and strawberries.

　　In fact, this is not the first time that the Vostok Observatory has planted agricultural products. As early as 2020, its researchers successfully planted a variety of plants, including fennel seeds, nine-story towers, parsley, arugula and cabbage.