Novosibirsk scientists are conducting an experiment on growing giant gourds: melon, mango-like watermelon and pumpkin. To do this, they use special autonomous greenhouses, Roman Rybakov, a researcher at the Siberian Federal Scientific Center for Agricultural Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told socialbites.ca.
“All plants are grown in private, modern growing facilities or urban farms isolated from the natural environment. We use artificial lighting, create the necessary temperature conditions, a completely artificial climate. They are grown in a food container – there is no soil there, but an inert substrate: drip irrigation with water with mineral fertilizers. A distinctive feature of the approach is the unique equipment that allows you to automatically create absolutely any conditions in a room of any size. This approach is an integral part of modern urban farming. The equipment is completely domestic,” stressed the scientist.
All three crops are divided into three groups: the first is grown in the usual way, in the second the seeds are soaked in an innovative solution – a completely organic plant growth regulator for 100% germination, and in the third group the seeds are not planted. not only soaked, but also sprayed with this preparation.
Such a distinction is necessary to determine the best technology for growing giant varieties.
Until now, the scientist called the mango-shaped watermelon the champion. This is a yellow torpedo-shaped watermelon with a lemon and mango flavor. The fruit has reached a weight of five kg and a length of 30 cm, but this is not the limit and will continue to grow.
“In our science center, scientific studies are carried out in partnership with the local school: one student grows melon, the second student grows watermelon, the third student grows zucchini. The aim of our project is to master the technology of growing giant fruits. As a result, we will be able to clone the most productive plants and eliminate the dependence on imports for seeds of these varieties. We use local melon seeds,” he said.
This is the first experiment scientists will work on the bugs and repeat next year. According to the results of the studies, it is possible to import melon seeds.