Watermelon and melon can be grown in arctic regions

In Russia the polar station of Apatity (Murmansk Oblast) has succeeded in cultivating watermelons and melons. In greenhouses without additional heating, lighting or fertilizer.

 

 

 

“We thought that some genotypes would respond well to polar conditions and might bear fruit. We chose several varieties. Melons and watermelons had the most interesting results. Fruit quality at the polar station is quite good. Analysis shows that the fruits weigh almost as much as those grown at the Krasnodar statio", said Yulia Ukhatovaa, the scientific secretary of the Institute of Plant Genetic Resources Vavilov.

 

 

 

Identical varieties were grown in Apatity (1,800 km north of Moscow) and Krasnodar (1,200 km south of Moscow), at the same time. The fruits from the 2 stations were cut the same day and then sent to St. Petersburg for taste tests and biochemical tests. The 'Surprise' watermelon variety, with yellow skin, turned out to be the best.

 

 

 

“The 'Surprise' watermelons grown at Apatity were almost the same as the Krasnodar watermelons, both in taste and biochemical composition. This means that this variety is well adapted to arctic conditions, while other varieties have failed in breeding for growing in the North, ”added Yulia Ukhatova.

 

 

 

In the future, scientists plan to start trials for kiwi and grapes.

 

 

 

The experimental polar station was founded in 1923. Its activity helped to start agriculture in the Kola Peninsula (Murmansk Oblast). Many plant varieties have been selected and adapted to the conditions of the Far North to be cultivated.