Cultural methods and mineral content of eggplant (Solanum melongena) fruit
1996
Russo, V.M.
Mineral content in edible portions of vegetables may be affected by cultural methods. This study was conducted to determine if fertiliser rate and irrigation regime affected mineral (N, NO2, NO3, P, PO4, K, SO4, Ca, Fe, Na, Mg, and Mn) of eggplant (Solanum melongena L, cv Black Bell) fruit. The experiment on a Bernow fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic Glossic Paleudalf soil at Lane (OK, USA) with three fertiliser rates and three irrigation regimes. The data were analysed as a split-plot with harvests as the sub-plot. All P was accounted for by PO4. Levels of NO2 and NO3 comprised <0.001% of the N content. Harvest number affected only N, P, K, SO4 and Mg levels in both years, and Na in one year. For many of the minerals the highest levels in fruit were not consistent over harvests in both years. When there was less precipitation, and fertiliser was applied at the recommended rate, fewer irrigations per week were necessary to increase levels of N, P and K in fruit. The interaction of irrigation and fertiliser can affect mineral content of fruit and should be considered when fertiliser recommendations are made.
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