Russian scientists grow 235 vegetables and melon varieties at Antarctica's Vostok station

MOSCOW — Russian scientists have successfully grown 21 plant species and 235 varieties of vegetables and melons in enclosed, controlled greenhouse units at the Vostok station in Antarctica, the Russian Academy of Sciences said. Andrei Rudskoy, head of the academy’s St. Petersburg branch, said three agricultural units established under a 2020–2026 project have produced stable yields for several years despite the harsh polar conditions. The project was carried out in cooperation with specialized Russian institutions working in agriculture, biomedicine and polar research, according to the academy. Gayane Panova, the project’s lead researcher, said the technology provides an ideal environment for the plants in terms of light, air and root-zone conditions. Panova added that the greenhouses supply station personnel with fresh food and also serve as a space crew members visit to monitor plant growth. The Vostok station, located 3,488 meters above sea level, faces environmental conditions comparable to those anticipated for future human settlements planned on the Moon and Mars, the academy said. Further details on the project’s next phase were not immediately available.