Eggplant plant care

1. EGGPLANT
(Solanum melongena L.) In the Philippines

2. Introduction
 Eggplant is a member of the Solanaceae or
nightshade family, which includes tomatoes,
potatoes, and peppers. Its origin is considered to be
India where it continues to grow wild. This spiny,
bitter, orange, pea-sized fruit has been cultivated
throughout India and China for more than 1500
years.
 A native of the tropics, eggplant are warm-season
plants that are more vulnerable to cold temperatures
than tomatoes.
 A large selection of varieties makes eggplants
available in several colors (for example, purplish
black, red, white and variegated) and shapes (for
example, egg-shaped, elongated and round). It is
erect, bushy with stem sometimes armed with few
spikes. Its leaves are large, ovate and slightly
lobed. The shape and color of fruits depend on the
variety.

3.  Less commonly produced varieties include Asian
eggplants (Philippines), which tend to be long and
slender, and baby, or miniature eggplants.
 In the Philippines, eggplant is known
as talong and is the number one vegetable in
terms of production area. An average of 21,225
hectares is planted with eggplant each year.
 The top five eggplant producing areas in the
country are Ilocos, Central Luzon, Cagayan
Valley, CALABARZON, and the Bicol region.
Introduction

4. VARIETIES OF EGGPLANT IN
THE PHILIPPINES

5. Black ninja f1
hybrid

6. Black jack f1
hybrid

7. Dumaguete Long
Purple OP

8. Zam f1

9. Aurora Round
Green OP

10. IMPORTANCE OF COMMODITY
Why is eggplant important in
the Philippines?
 It is the leading vegetable crop in the
Philippines in terms of area and volume of
production.
 In the Philippines, eggplant production
accounts for more than 30.0% of the total
volume of production of the most important
vegetables in the country . Eggplant
production provides an important source of
cash income, particularly for small,
resource-poor farmers; and

11. Eggplant is an important source of
income to many Asian farmers.
The benefits of eggplant do not
stop with the farmers. It is also
beneficial for human health because
it is high in fiber and water, rich in
anti-oxidants, and a good source of
vitamins and minerals . Hence, this
vegetable can help prevent cancer,
diabetes, and gastrointestinal
diseases.

13. Current intervention in
production
SOIL AND CLIMATIC REQUIREMENTS
 The crop thrives best in sandy loam and clay loam textured soils
with pH value ranging from 5.5 to 6.8. The water requirement of the
crop is 35 to 40 millimeter per week.
 It is moderately sensitive to flooding and moisture sensitive during
flowering and fruit enlarging. Eggplant requires a temperature of
20o to 30oC during seed germination, 24o to 32oC soil temperature
and 21o to 30oC during its growth duration.

14. CULTURAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
I. Selection of Varieties
 Select varieties that are high yielding, resistant to insect pests and
diseases, non-seasonal, adapted to local climatic conditions and
acceptable to the consumers to gain optimum yield and profit.
Current intervention in
production

15. Land Preparation
• Prepare the field as early as possible to give enough time for the weeds and
stubbles of previous crops to decompose. Plow and harrow 2 to 3 times
alternately at one week interval. Plow at a depth of 15 to 20 cm. Harrow twice
to break the clods and level the field. A well-pulverized soil promotes good
soil aeration and enhances root formation.
Raising Seedlings
 A hectare of farm requires 100 g of seeds. One gram is approximately 250
seeds. There are two methods of seedling establishment in eggplant,
namely, the seedbed method and the box, tray or potlets method.
Current intervention in
production

16. Care of Seedlings
 Protect the seedlings from excessive sunlight and rain by providing a
temporary shade using available indigenous materials such as plastic,
cogon, talahib or coconut leaves. Construct the shade to 120 cm high on
the east side and about 60 cm high on the west side.
 Water the seedlings preferably in the morning to minimize damping off.
The amount of water to be applied should be just enough to keep the soil
moist. Over watering favors damping-off and production of weak
seedlings.
Current intervention in
production

17. Fertilizer Application
 The quantity and kind of fertilizer to be applied depend on the soil
fertility and on the previous cropping patterns based on the result of the
soil analysis.
Transplanting
 Eggplant is ready for transplanting 4 to 6 weeks from sowing. Pull
seedlings carefully. Do not remove soil adhering to the roots.
Current intervention in
production

18. Current intervention in
production
Harvest and Postharvest Handling
 Harvesting starts 46 to 50 DAT, depending on the variety and intended use of
the fruits. Harvest fruits that are still tender and young. Harvest early in the
morning and protect the fruits from the sun, rain,and mechanical damage.
Harvest all fruits from the plants to prolong the fruiting period of the crop.
 Harvesting is usually done two times a week. Use pruning sheer in harvesting
to avoid damaging the plants. Remove damaged fruits from the harvest and
sort according to market standards. Pack fruits in plastic bags. Prick the bags
with a pin for ventilation. Allot two pricks per kilogram of packed fruits. For
some varieties, the fruits can be stored up to five days under this condition.

19. PROBLEMS OF
PRODUCTION
What are the
major
constraints to
eggplant
production in
the country?
 Eggplant production in the Philippines suffers severe
yield losses from insect pests, diseases, and extreme
environmental conditions.

20. PROBLEMS OF
PRODUCTION
What are the major constraints to eggplant
in the country?
The most destructive insect
pest of eggplant in the
Philippines and other Asian
countries is the Eggplant
Fruit and Shoot Borer
(FSB).

21. How does FSB damage eggplant
production?
 FSB can cause significant yield loss
by reducing the number of
marketable fruits due to the
presence of unsightly entry/exit
holes and larval feeding tunnels.
Damaged fruits are sold cheaper,
used as animal feed, or simply
thrown away.

22. How do Filipino farmers
control and manage FSB?
Farmers practice Insect Pest Management (IPM) to reduce the population of FSB. This
practice includes the following:
1. regular crop rotation, or intercropping eggplant with other vegetables;
2. removal and burying of infested and damaged shoots and fruits;
3. using nylon net barriers to protect plants from the insects;
4. using light or pheromone traps;
5. growing eggplants in a screen house before transplanting in their farms;
6. conservation of beneficial arthropods (spiders, parasitoids, predators); and
7. judicious use of insecticides with different modes of action rotated at a known interval

23. How can biotechnology offer a better
alternative to traditional control
methods?
 Farmers need pest control methods that are effective
against the target insect pest that does not require additional
labor and material inputs. Labor intensive control methods
such as manual removal of infested shoots, trapping of
insects, and netting are ineffective. Intensive pesticide use
often leads to environmental and health issues, aside from
increasing the total production costs.

24.  At present, there are no existing commercial eggplant varieties
with high resistance to FSB in the Philippines, and FSB-
resistance is difficult to develop using conventional plant
breeding. By using biotechnology to introduce FSB-resistance in
eggplant, farmers will benefit from high yields of good quality
fruits. They will also save on production and labor costs as
fewer or no pesticides will be used in controlling the insect pest.

25. What is FSB-resistant
eggplant?
 FSB-resistant (FSBR) eggplant is an insect resistant eggplant developed through
genetic engineering. Also called Bt eggplant or Bt talong, it contains a crystalline
insecticidal natural protein from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis that makes it
resistant to FSB. Once the FSB caterpillars feed on any part of the plant (leaves,
shoots, flowers,or fruits), they stop eating and eventually die. It is noteworthy to know
that the Bt protein in Bt eggplant only affects FSB. It is safe to humans, farm animals,
and non-target insects.

27. Sources:
 1 ISAAA. 2018. Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops in 2018: Biotech Crops
Continue to Help Meet the Challenges of Increased Population and Climate Change. ISAAA
Brief No. 54: ISAAA: Ithaca, NY.
 2 Gerpacio, R.V. and A.P. Aquino (eds). 2014. Socioeconomic Impacts of Bt Eggplant: Ex-
ante Case Studies in the Philippines. ISAAA, Ithaca, NY, USA and SEARCA, Los Baños Laguna,
Philippines.