Eggplant is in the family of plants that includes tomatoes, peppers, round potatoes and candle tomatoes. This vegetable contains essential nutrients such as calcium and iron, Vitamins A, B and C, carbohydrates, protein and water. This vegetable is used to make soup or as an ingredient in various dishes.
It can also be preserved by cutting it into pieces and putting it in cans.
THE ENVIRONMENT
This crop requires moderate temperature conditions, deep soil with sufficient fertility and not waterlogged. Eggplant is usually grown in more than one season, but in tropical (warm) countries this crop is grown in one season.
ALWAYS:
The types of eggplant that are widely cultivated in tropical countries are as follows;-
· Black Beauty:
This variety bears a lot, its fruits are black, large, and round
· Florida Market.
Florida Market fruits are egg-shaped. This type is also very productive, but is easily attacked by bacterial wilt disease.
· Florida High Bush.
Its fruits are large, egg-shaped, and green mixed with black.
· Newyork Spineless.
Newyork Spineless fruits are round, large and purple in color.
· Peredeniya.
This variety bears a lot, its fruits are relatively large and egg-shaped.
Other types of eggplant are matele, Kopek and Rosita. These types are very resistant to bacterial wilt attacks.
GROWING SEEDS:
The seeds are first grown in the nursery and later the seedlings are transferred to the field. Before sowing the seeds, make a ridge one meter wide and any length. Apply natural fertilizers such as manure or well-rotted garbage, in the amount of one or two buckets in an area of one square meter. Sow two to three grams of seeds (half a teaspoon equal to five grams) in the area.
500 grams of seeds are enough to transplant in an area of one hectare. The space between the lines should be 10 to 15 centimeters and the depth should be 1.5 centimeters. After planting the seeds, spread the dry grass and then water it. Continue to water the nursery every day, morning and evening, until the seeds germinate. The seeds germinate after 10 to 12 days.
TRANSFERRING PLANTS:
Seedlings are ready for transplanting in the field after six to eight weeks. This time they are 15 to 20 centimeters long (the same as the length of a lead pen).
One month before planting seedlings, fertilize the soil by adding well-rotted organic fertilizers. These fertilizers are like manure, compost and chicken manure.
Apply 10 to 20 tons per hectare. This amount is equivalent to placing one to two buckets with a volume of 20 liters in an area of one square meter. NPK compound fertilizer with a ratio of 20:10:10 is placed in the hole at the time of transplanting the seedling. The required amount is three to five grams (equivalent to half a teaspoon to one teaspoon) per hole.
The transplant position depends on the type of eggplant. Small varieties are planted in a space of 80 to 100 cm from row to row and 50 to 60 cm from plant to plant. Large varieties are transplanted at a distance of 80 to 100 cm from row to row and 80 to 90 cm from plant to plant. The work of transferring the seedlings should be done with great care to avoid cutting the roots.
FARM CARE:
· Mulching.
Immediately after transplanting the seedlings, spread dry grass. Mulches help conserve moisture, prevent weeds from growing and increase soil fertility.
· Pale.
Make sure the field is clean at all times to prevent competition for food, water and light between plants and weeds. Farm cleanliness also eliminates the hiding places of pests and prevents the spread of diseases.
· Fertilizer.
Fertilizer type S/A is applied three weeks after the plant begins to produce flowers. An amount of three to five grams should be placed around each seedling. Fertilizer should be placed at a distance of five to 15 centimeters from the stem, depending on the size of the seedling. Make sure the fertilizer does not touch the plant.
· Cutting the top.
Two weeks after transplanting the seedlings, cut the upper part of the plant (top) if you have planted a tall type of eggplant. This will help to get three to four branches and the plant to get three to four branches and the plant to form a bush. Branches exceeding four should be removed to get more and better crops.
· Watering.
The eggplant crop grows well if it gets enough water. Irrigation should be done every day in the morning and evening depending on the weather.
Prevention of Pests and Diseases.
Pests:
· Eggplant Lacebugs
These insects mainly attack the lower part of the leaf. It absorbs sap from the leaves and causes the leaves to have white or yellow spots. If the attack is excessive, the leaves fall to the ground. Mosquitoes can be prevented by spraying one of the following sprays;-
Deltamethrin (Decis), Dimethoate (Sapa Dimethoate) Fenvalerate (Sumicidin), Lambda - Cyhalothrin (Karate).
· Cotton Aphids
These are small black insects. It attacks young leaves and causes them to stunt and wrinkle. Prevent these pests by using one of the following drugs;-
Dimocron 50% E.C, Lambda - Cyhalothrin (Karate) Dichlorvos (Nogos).
· Plant Infestation (Red Spider Mites).
They are small insects with a ripe red color. Attacks leaves by sucking sap. Infested leaves show spider webs. If the attacks become more severe, the leaves dry up and eventually die.
The flow is prevented by using the following drugs;- Acrex, Karathane 25% WP, Dimethoate, Ekalux, Kelthane.
· Minyoo Fundo (Root knotnematodes).
These insects attack the roots. Produces excrement which is toxic to the plant. This toxin causes the roots to become humped like those of bean roots. If the attack exceeds the plant, it withers and eventually dies.
The way to prevent these pests is to change crops, for example after harvesting this crop, the next crop should not be of the same species as eggplant such as tomatoes, peppers and round potatoes. Also the drug Carbofuran (Furadan) can be used.
Diseases:
· Bacterial Wilt (Bacterial Wilt).
This disease is caused by bacteria. The attacked plant wilts suddenly especially during hot sun.
Bacterial wilt can be killed by changing crops in the field. If the land is attacked by this disease, the eggplant crop should not be grown in that area for a period of three to five years.
Another way is to plant varieties of eggplants such as Matale, Kopek and Rosita that tolerate the attacks of this disease.
· Phomopsis Vexans:
This disease is caused by bacteria and attacks leaves, stems and fruits.
· Verticillium Wilt.
It is spread by water and causes the plant to stunt, the leaves to wrinkle and fall.
Phomopsis vexans and Verticillium Wilt diseases can be prevented by uprooting and burning the affected plants, changing crops, and keeping the field clean at all times.
HARVESTING:
Eggplants begin to produce mature fruits after two to three months from transplanting. Harvesting continues for more than four months and must be done early when the fruits are ripe. Overripe fruits are not suitable for cultivation because they contain mature pulp and seeds.
Harvest two or three times a week, using a sharp knife so as not to damage the fruit.
HARVEST:
This crop is usually very productive if it is well cared for. A well-maintained field can yield 50 to 60 tons per hectare. However, high yields depend on the type of eggplant, irrigation and soil fertility.
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