A Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) expert has cited various factors leading to bursting of watermelons in China's Jiangsu province earlier this month. Over 700 mu (46.7 hectares) of watermelons are reported to have been ruined because of the problem in the city of Danyang in southern Jiangsu in May.

Xinhua quoted Zhang Chaoxian, a researcher with the CAAS, as saying that one factor was because the variety grown in the city, which was introduced to the local farmers last year, has thin rinds that break very easily.

He cited sudden rainfall after a prolonged drought as the second reason, claiming that watermelons became vulnerable after absorbing rainwater after a long dry period.

Zhang also said poor timing in the application of growth accelerators by the local farmers also caused the watermelons to explode.

However he assured that if the growth accelerators are used in a proper manner, fruits could be grown rapidly in large quantities.