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Bangladesh: BARI showcases hydroponic watermelon cultivation

In Patuakhali, the days of having a 'watermelon season' may be numbered. The introduction of hydroponics, growing watermelons without soil, relying instead on nutrient-rich water solution delivered by pipes to nurture the plants, promises ripe watermelons year-round. Moreover, hydroponics brings the garden out of the field. Hydroponics is suitable for any available space, such as rooftops.

The technique is being introduced to farmers by the regional office of Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) in Lebukhali area of the district. Several months ago officials constructed a 200-square-foot demonstration plot in their office compound with 140 holes in its pipe network suitable for watermelon seeds. Now, with watermelons hanging on every vine, it's time for harvest.

“The life cycle of a watermelon vine is only two and a half months,” says BARI laboratory assistant Md. Bellal Hossain. “We have already harvested 100 watermelons, with 30 more ripening.”

Read more at The Daily Star
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