China's Exploding Watermelon Problem

[scubahood]

17 May 2011

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13421374 (video on site)

China farmers face 'exploding' watermelon problem


Farmer Liu Mingsuo: "More and more watermelons exploded"

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.
Chemical-free

According to the Xinhua news agency, 20 farmers in a village in Jiangsu province planted imported seeds from Japan, with 10 households saying their watermelons began exploding last month.

Farmer Liu Mingsuo told Xinhua that more than two-thirds of his crop had blown up.

He said he had used chemicals to boost their growth on 6 May, and the following day more than 180 melons exploded. Mr Liu was reported to be the only farmer from the 10 households who used chemicals.

Wang Dehong, who has been farming watermelons for 20 years, couldn't understand why his fruit also exploded as he had not used any chemicals.

Agricultural experts investigating the incident were unable to offer an explanation.

China has approved the usage of the growth chemical under certain quotas. So far, tests show the chemical is safe, Xinhua reported.

However, as the public is increasingly concerned about food safety, experts say a quality tracking system should be introduced, detailing every stage along the food chain, to inform the public fully, and ensure food safety.

[souris]

[**butterflylove**]

If the chemicals do that to the fruit, what does it do to us

[5umguy24]

I told you bro, I told about dem watermelons! It keeps happening!

[bdjackass318]

oh this is too good!

[Xfactor]

Everything from China breaks

[mwt77932]

Only in China could they turn a watermelon into an explosive.

[Faline]

Originally Posted by **BUTTERFLYLOVE**

If the chemicals do that to the fruit, what does it do to us

Makes you wonder

[TheHitman]

Hmm.... as if gallager wasn't already having a hard time finding work, now natures stealing his job

[gatagato]

It's a military tactic: they want to spread their seeds all over the western world, then, when they've grown enough, they'll explode alltogether and the consequent airflow will kill everyone within a range of 50 miles per single watermelon: the effects will be devastating. Plus, when they'll attack with their troops, western soldiers will be all very busy with peeing because of the huge amount of watermelons that they'll have eaten.
This is a calculation of the fatalities in Chicago in contemplation of the imminent disaster:


Watermelons are very evil, that's the truth.