Electronic Journal of Polish Agricultural Universities (EJPAU) founded by all Polish Agriculture Universities presents original papers and review articles relevant to all aspects of agricultural sciences. It is target for persons working both in science and industry,regulatory agencies or teaching in agricultural sector. Covered by IFIS Publishing (Food Science and Technology Abstracts), ELSEVIER Science - Food Science and Technology Program, CAS USA (Chemical Abstracts), CABI Publishing UK and ALPSP (Association of Learned and Professional Society Publisher - full membership). Presented in the Master List of Thomson ISI.

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Kowalska G. 2005. THE EFFECT OF SEEDLING PRODUCTION METHOD ON PLANT CHARACTERISTICS, YIELD AND QUALITY OF FRUITS OF THREE CULTIVARS OF EGGPLANT GROWN IN PLASTIC TUNNEL, EJPAU 8(4), #36.
Available Online: http://www.ejpau.media.pl/volume8/issue4/abs-36.html

ABSTRACT

In a unheated plastic tunnel the experiments were carried out in 1998-2000. The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of seedling production method on the quality and quantity of the yield of eggplant fruits of three cultivars – ‘Black Beauty’ ‘Solara F₁’ and ‘Epic F₁’. Potted seedlings and non-potted seedlings were maintained in glasshouse culture, according to standard recommendation for that species. They were transplanted into a tunnel at the beginning of June. Spacing between plants was 50×50 cm. Eggplant plants were grown in plastic cylinders, each of 8 litres volume, in a peat substrate. Observations of eggplant’s growth and development were conducted during its vegetation period. Eggplant fruits were collected at a harvesting maturity stage, when they were 40 days old, in two weeks intervals, from the first decade of August to the first decade of October. Then marketable yields and number of marketable fruits per plant were evaluated and the weight, diameter and length of each fruit on plant were measured. Eggplant’s cultivation from a seedling prepared in pots positively affects the plant’s growth and development. In each study year, plants cultivated from potted seedling were significantly higher and produced significantly higher number of leaves as compared to those from non-potted seedling. It was found that preparation of seedlings in pots influenced on the increase of commercial yield of eggplant fruits. The yield elevation resulted from the fruit quality improvement. Plants grown from potted seedling produced fruits of higher weight and length as compared to those achieved from non-potted plants. The studied cultivars differed in the weight, size and shape of marketable fruits. ‘Black Beauty’ was distinguished by fruits of much greater weight in comparison with ‘Epic F₁’ an ‘Solara F₁’. Fruits of ‘Solara F₁’ and ‘Epic F₁’ were longer while ‘Black Beauty’ had a greater diameter. Tested cultivars significantly differed with plant’s morphology. ‘Solara F₁’ cv. and ‘Epic F₁’ cv. were higher and were characterized with another conformation than ‘Black Beauty’ cv. plants.

Key words: eggplant, Solanum melongena L., potted seedling, non-potted seedling, plant characteristics, weight, diameter and length of fruit.

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Grażyna Kowalska
Department of Hydrobiology and Ichthyobiology,
Agricultural University in Lublin, Poland
37 Dobrzanskiego Street, 20-262 Lublin, Poland
phone: (+48 81) 461 00 61, fax: (+48 81) 461 00 61
email: grazyna.kowalska@ar.lublin.pl

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