China farmers face 'exploding' watermelon problem

[n2doc]

Farmers in eastern China have been left perplexed after their watermelons began to explode one by one.

An investigation by state media found farms in Jiangsu province were losing acres of fruit because of the problem.

The overuse of a chemical that helps fruit grow faster was blamed in one report by China Central Television.

But agriculture experts were unable to explain why chemical-free melons were exploding. They cited the weather and abnormal size of the melon as factors.

China Central Television said farmers were overspraying their crops with the growth promoter, hoping they could get their fruit to market ahead of the peak season and increase their profits.

more
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13421374

[LiberalLoner]

1. There's a joke in this somewhere. I hope my grocery store only buys

watermelon from the U.S.

[Deep13]

2. Quick! Send in Gallagher! nt

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. A time to worry............

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=1107026&mesg_id=1107026

[Myrina]

5. Hah, I had that thought too!

:hide:

[CanonRay]

4. Better living through Chemistry!

Wasn't that Dow's old slogan.

[SidDithers]

6. Ugly. I feel for the Chinese people who eat food grown in such a regulation-free environment...

at least we have the option of not buying food imported from China. I don't think the average Chinese citizen has that choice.

Sid