Influence of growth regulators on growth and productivity of eggplant (Solanum melongena)
2005
Lakshmi Praba, M., E-mail: [email protected] | Durgadevi, D. (International Rice Research Inst., DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila (Philippines))
Eggplant (Solanum melongena) is one of the most preferred vegetarian delicacies in South East Asia. Because of the hardiness, it can be successfully grown in very dry areas under rain-fed conditions or with minimum irrigation facilities. The average productivity is around 760 tons/hectare in well irrigated condition. With the increasing demand for this vegetable crop, yield manipulation with growth regulators is widely practiced. In this present study, eggplant variety COBH1 was grown in a pot culture experiment. The plants were treated with certain growth regulators two times i) at vegetative stage and ii) 15 days after 1 spray (at flowering). The treatments include, T1-control, T2-KNO3(1%), T3-GA3(50 ppm), T4-Salicylic acid (100 ppm) and T5- (Nitrobenzene 250 ppm). Among the treatments, highest yield was recorded by Salicylic acid 100 ppm (700 grams/plant) which is 32% higher than control yield of 530 grams/plant. This was due to high photosynthetic capacity, (as evident by greater chlorophyll flourescence, enhanced nitrate reductase activity and high soluble protein content of leaves), faster growth, greater dry matter accumulation and less percentage of flower shedding. Second best treatments were GA3 50 ppm, (227) and Nitrobenzene 250 ppm (13%). GA3 promoted early flowering in which 50% flowering was achieved by around 7 days before control. Treatment with KNO3 slightly increased the yield by around 9% over control plants. All the treatments have significantly increased the number of branches/plant, number of flowers and fruits compared to control. The treatments also have significantly reduced flower shedding which is a major yield constraint in eggplant. The results suggest that yield improvement is possible with chemical manipulation.
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