Russian scientists successfully planted watermelons in Antarctica.

　　According to a report on the American interesting science website on July 31, scientists in Antarctica have done something unimaginable: they planted a lot of watermelons when they lived on this cold continent.

　　This agricultural feat is part of the experiment done by the Oriental Station of the Russian perennial scientific research station at the "extreme freezing point" in Antarctica. The "freezing point" is named because it is listed as the coldest place on earth, and its lowest recorded temperature once reached MINUS 89.2 degrees Celsius.

　　Watermelon first appeared in today's Sudan more than 4,300 years ago, and is found in ancient works of art in this area, including Egyptian tombs in segala. In other words, this berry fruit evolved far from the cold environment in Antarctica.

　　In order to make the greenhouse in Dongfang Station more suitable for watermelon growth, researchers from the Antarctic expedition team of Russian Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, together with colleagues from the Institute of Agricultural Physics and the Institute of Biomedical Problems of Russian Academy of Sciences, created an oasis to raise the air temperature and humidity to a state conducive to watermelon growth.

　　The research team specially selected two early-maturing watermelon varieties, not only because they taste pleasant, but also because they can adapt to the low pressure and hypoxia in the greenhouse. They planted seeds in a thin layer of soil substitute and used special lighting to simulate sunlight. According to a translated statement from the Russian Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, since there are no insects to pollinate the plants, the researchers undertake all the pollination work by hand.

　　103 days after the seeds were planted, the researchers got six "ripe and sweet fruits" growing on different plants. According to a translated statement of the Russian Geographical Society, the maximum weight of these watermelons is 1 kg, and the maximum diameter of a single watermelon is 13 cm.

　　This experiment not only successfully proved that watermelon can be planted in the coldest place on earth under the right conditions, but also provided an exciting snack for scientists living in the harsh conditions in Antarctica.

　　This is not the first time that Dongfang Station has planted agricultural products. According to the statement of the Russian Geographical Society, in 2020, researchers successfully planted various plants including fennel, parsley, arugula and cabbage.

　　According to Korea Business Telegraph, South Korean scientists planted watermelons at Sejong King Station in West Antarctica in 2021, where the lowest recorded temperature was minus 25.6 degrees Celsius.

　　Next, scientists plan to plant all kinds of fruits, including blackberries, blueberries and strawberries.