RU Correspondent
RAJSHAHI, June 18: Melon (Bangi) is a popular fruit across the country.
Green melon is also consumed as vegetable.
Local melon variety is not sweet.
But a new variety has recently been invented by RU Professor Monzur Hossain which is sweet.
Mr Hossain is also the director of the Institute of Biological Sciences (IBSC) at Rajshahi University (RU).
The new melon variety is named as Golden Melon (Sonali Bangi) due to its golden colour.
Prof. Monzur has invented such variety after an eight years long research effort.
Monzur Hossain said as per the suggestion of a Japanese friend, he took the initiative to grow sweet melon in Bangladesh.
He said he brought two melon varieties 'Ragbi' and 'Mascamelan' from Japan.
"I had tried several times to cultivate Japanese melon, but failed. Every time I sow the seeds, it got damaged", Mr Hossain added.
Since then, he was started researching for the development of sweet-rooted melon.
And after long eight years of relentless research, he was successful in inventing Golden Melon.
Bangi is also known as 'Kharamuz', 'Futei', and 'Kankar' in different parts across the country.
Prof Monzur said, "With the introduction of twice local Bangi genes and two others Japanese species', twice special varieties of melons have been invented".
Such as Japanese 'Ragbi' variety with a local gene has been jointly invented 'Golden Melon'.
Besides, Japanese 'Mascamelan' and local melon gene have also invented another new variety of melon which has not yet been named.
Mr Hossain said during the small phase it looks like a Malta or an orange.
Later, it takes the shape of a small pumpkin. Each melon becomes half to one kg in weight. And it contains lots of calories, vitamin-A, and iron.
RU scientist cultivated the new melon variety on three acres of land at his homestead in Rajshahi.
About the technique of cultivating the variety Prof Monzur said the process is different than that of the traditional ones.
Although the melons can be cultivated directly in the land, but it is necessary to keep such fruits four to five feet above from the soil.
The cost of cultivation is slightly more than the ordinary melons.
Tk 15,000 to Tk 20,000 will cost to cultivate the fruit on a bigha of land.
Prof Monzur Hossain expressed the hope that the farmers will be benefited by producing 'Golden Bangi'.
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