Malta: Seedless watermelons cultivated
"We chose the watermelon to check the varying levels of lycopene, which is also found in tomatoes, which is a cartenoid known for its antioxidant properties," Zahra said.
he says that tests are being carried out on eight varieties of watermelon and it seemed to be that lycopene is higher in seedless watermelons than in seeded varieties.
"We also know that seeds are high in starch so it is not good for the body."
Seedless watermelon is nothing new, but it is, as yet, not very popular in areas where watermelon is widely consumed - the rest of Europe, Australia and Asia.
"We have been selling the seedless watermelon at the Farmers’ Market for the last 10 days and it was successfully welcomed by consumers. We are selling the seedless watermelon at the same price as a normal one," Zahra said.
The watermelons are bred by natural means and not through genetic modification.
Zahra received international sponsorship for the cultivation and will also get EU funding.
Source: maltatoday.com
