Eggplant Cultivation Farming
Eggplant is a perennial crop which is grown both by small and large scale farmers throughout the year. It is a member of the Solanaceae family which includes Tomato, Potato, Black Nightshade, Sweet Pepper and Chili. The unripe Eggplant fruit is consumed as a cooked vegetable. It is low in calories and fats, and a good source of Vitamins and minerals.
Common Varieties
1. Black Beauty
- It has an oval to heart-shaped glossy purple fruit which is almost black.
- It has a maturity period of 100 days after transplanting.
- It has a good shelf-life, and is unsuitable in cold areas.
- It has an average yield of 4,500kg per acre.
2. Long Purple
- It is an early maturing variety, which grow tall & give high yields.
- Its fruit has an elongated shape & dark purple.
- It has a maturity period of 70 to 80 days after transplanting.
3. Florida High Bush
- It is an old variety bred in Florida in the 1940’s.
- It produces very large, dark purple and egg shaped fruits.
- It has a maturity period of 85 days after transplanting.
4. Ravaya
- It is an early maturing & high yielding variety.
- Its fruits are slender and purple coloured.
- It is popular in export market.
Adaptability
Climatic requirements
Eggplant is a warm-season crop and does not tolerate frost. A long growing season of 80 days is required for the transplanted Eggplant to reach maturity. It requires an optimal temperature of 26°C during the day and 20°C at night. Optimum temperatures are around 26 - 29°C.
When the temperature falls below 17 °C and rises above 35 °C the plant growth slows and pollination problems occur. Flowering is not affected by day length. Cooler temperature has potential to reduce fruit set.
Higher temperatures and high humidity levels also reduce yields in Eggplant. It can tolerate drought and excessive rainfall. Eggplant will not tolerate extended periods of saturated soil owing to the build-up of root-rotting pathogens.
Soil requirements
Eggplant grows best with a soil pH of 5,5 to 6,5. It performs well on a well drained loam to sandy loam soils, but will grow moderately well over a wide range of soil types. However, certain criteria have to be satisfied in relation to the soil structure and content to make it commercially viable. These factors include:
- Nutrient composition
- Compaction
- Effective soil depth
- pH
- Crop rotation
- Herbicide residues
- Water holding capacity
Cultivation Practices
Soil preparation
You need to prepare the site to create a growing conditions for Eggplants to develop the optimal root system in a specific soil profile. Soil preparation improves the potential for profitable production of eggplant. You should plough the site and incorporate a little manure to improve soil fertility.
In your field, you should ensure that the soil preparation is done to depths varying between 200 - 400mm. Ridging is highly recommended, and should be done according to the land contours.
The main advantage of ridging is to keep excess water away from the plant, improved oxygenation of the root zone, increased soil depth in the growing bed, to promote root development. All these support optimal yields.
Planting periods
The earliest period for Eggplants seedling establishment should be when the soil and air temperatures at least meet the minimum requirements for plant growth.
The latest Eggplants seedling establishment period should be after allowance has been made for the growth and harvest periods to be completed before adverse conditions sets in. Due to the effect of certain factors being prevalent at specific locations, within each of these areas the planting times may be earlier or later than the times.
Seedling Production
Eggplant can be established through the nursery or directly seeded. The Eggplants seed rate is about 200g per acre. The nursery should be sited on a plot that has not been planted with a member of the Solanaceae family for the last 3 years. The site should also be away from shade, should be flat or gently sloping. You should ensure your site has right soil moisture all the time not water logged.
Plant population and spacing
You should achieve a plant population of 20 to 25 000 plant p/ha. The between row spacing should be 1.8 to 2.5 meters.
Transplanting
Eggplant seedlings should be transplanted 3 – 4 weeks after sowing at which the height of seedling is about 10 – 15 cm. You should ensure transplanting is done either early in the morning or late in the evening.
The recommended spacing between transplants should range from 60 – 75 cm (between rows) by 40 – 60 cm (between seedlings) depending on the Eggplants variety. Plant population should be 8,888-16,666 per acre.
Irrigation
Under- or over irrigation can have a devastating effect on the outcome of your Eggplants. It is therefore very important to apply water at optimal times to avoid water logging conditions.
Weeds control
You should control the weeds easily by cultural methods or hoeing. When applicable, use herbicides.
Harvesting
Harvesting starts 60 to 90 days after transplanting your Eggplants depending on variety. Yields vary from 8,000 to 10,000kg per acre depending on the Eggplants variety and crop husbandry.
Secateur or any other tool is used to harvest fruits. When picking, 2.5 – 5 cm Eggplants fruit stalk is left attached to the fruit. Eggplant fruits should be harvested early in the morning when it is cool since the fruit temperature is low.