Brinjal Area Under Cultivation The major cabbage producing states are Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Botanical Name : Solanum melongena Family : Solanaceae Plant Discription : It is an erect bush with large, fuzzy leaves and stiff, hard stems. The plants usualy usually grows 45 to 60 cm high and bears oval to long shaped fruits purple or greenish in colour.
Centre of origin : India Pollination system : Self pollinated Chromosome no : 2n=24 Nutritional Levels : Moisture (%)
Protein (%)
Fat (%)
Mineral matter (%)
Fibre (%)
Carbohydrate (%)
Calories (K Cal)
92.7
1.4
0.3
0.3
1.3
4
24
Phosphorus (mg/100g)
Potassium (mg/100g)
Calcium (mg/100g)
Magnesium (mg/100g)
Iron (mg/100g)
Sodium (mg/100g)
Copper (mg/100g)
47
200
18
15
0.38
3
0.12
Manganese (mg/100g)
Zinc (mg/100g)
Sulphur (mg/100g)
Chlorine (mg/100g)
Molybdium (mg/100g)
Cromium (mg/100g)
0.13
0.22
44
52
0
0.007
Carotene (mg/100g)
Thiamine (mg/100g)
Riboflavin (mg/100g)
Niacin (mg/100g)
Vitamin C (mg/100g)
Choline (mg/100g)
Folic acid-Free (mg/100g)
74
0.04
0.11
0.9
12
52
5
Minerals
Vitamins
Folic acid- Total (mg/100g) 34
Brinjal Diseases Damping Off (Pythium spp., Phytophthora spp., Rhizoctonia spp.) : The disease causes severe damage in the nursery. High soil, moisture and moderate temperature along with high humidity especially in the rainy season leads to the development of the disease. Two types of symptoms are observedPre-emergence damping-off: The pre-emergence damping off results in seed and seedling rot before these emerge out of the soil. Post-emergence damping-off: The post-emergence damping off phase is characterized by infection of the young, juvenile tissues of the collar at the ground level. The infected tissues become soft and become water soaked. The collar portion rots and ultimately the seedlings collapse and die. Control: Healthy seed should be selected for sowing. The seed should be treated with Thiram @ 2g/kg of seed before sowing. Continuous raising of nursery in the same plot should be avoided. The top soil 2 of nursery should be treated with Thiram @ 5g/m area of the soil and nursery should be drenched with the same chemical @ 2g/litre of water at fortnightly interval. Soil solarization by spreading 250 gauge polythene sheet over the bed for 30 days before sowing and application of bio-control agent Trichoderma viride in soil @ 1.2kg/ha is also found effective to control damping-off to considerable extent.
Phomopsis Blight (Phomopsis vexans) : It is a serious disease of brinjal infecting the foliage and the fruits. The fungus infects the seedlings in the nursery causing damping off symptoms. In seedling infection, it causes damping off symptoms. When the leaves are infected small circular spots appear which become grey to brown with irregular blackish margins Lesions may also develop on petiole and stem, causing blighting of affected portion of the plant. Symptoms on the infected fruits appear as minute, sunken dull and dusky spots which later merge to form rotten areas. The flesh of severely infected fruits rots. Control: Adopting good field sanitation, destruction of infected plant material and crop rotation help to reduce the spread of the disease. Seeds obtained from disease plants should be used for planting. Seed treatment with Thiram (2 g/kg seed) protects the seedling in the nursery stage. Spraying with Dithane Z-78 (0.2%) or Bordeaux mixture (1%) effectively controls the disease in the field.
Leaf spot (Cercospora melongenae) : The disease symptoms are characterized by chlorotic lesion, angular to irregular in shape, later turning greyish-brown. Severely infected leaves drop off prematurely, resulting in reduced fruit yield. Control: Removal and destruction of affected plant parts and spraying the affected plants with Bavistin (0.1%) or Chlorothalonil (2 g/litre of water) is useful for disease control.
Alternaria Leaf Spots (Altrenaria melongenae) : The disease causes characteristic leaf spots with concentric rings. The spots are mostly irregular and coalesce to cover large areas of the leaf blade. Severely affected leaves drop off. The symptoms on the affected fruits are in the form of large deep-seated spots. The infected fruits turn yellow and drop off prematurely. Control: Removal and destruction of affected plant parts and spraying the affected plants with Bavistin (0.1%) is useful for disease control.
Fruit Rot (Phytophthora nicotianae) : High humidity favours the development of the disease. The symptoms first appear as small watersoaked lesions on the fruit, which later enlarges in size considerably. Skin of infected fruit turns brown and develops white cottony growth. Control: Removal and destruction of the affected fruits and spraying the crop with Difolatan (0.3%) thrice at an interval of 10 days effectively controls the disease.
Verticillium Wilt (Verticilium dahliae) : The disease attacks the young plants as well as mature plants. The infected young plants show dwarfing and stunting due to the shortening of the internodes. Such plants do not flower and fruit. Infection after the flowering stage results in development of distorted floral buds and fruits. The affected fruits finally drop off. The infected leaves show the presence of irregularly scattered necrotic pale yellow spots over the leaf lamina. Later on, these spots coalesce resulting in complete wilting of the leaves. The roots of the affected plants are split open longitudinally, a characteristic dark brown discoloration if the xylem vessels is observed. Control: Crop rotation with bhendi, tomato, potato should be avoided. Soil application and foliar application with Benlate (0.1%) is effective in reducing the wilt disease.
Bacterial Wilt (Psedomonas solancearum) : Bacterial wilt disease causes severe problem in brinjal cultivation. The characteristic symptoms of the disease are wilting of the foliage followed by collapse of the entire plant. The wilting is characterized by gradual, sometimes sudden, yellowing, withering and drying of the entire plant or some of its branches. Control: Removal and destruction of the affected plant parts and using disease resistant varieties help to reduce the disease incidence. Crop rotation with bhendi, tomato, potato should be avoided. Before sowing the seeds should be dipped in a solution of Streptocycline (1 g/ 40 litres of water) for 30 minutes.
Little Leaf of Brinjal : This is a serious viral disease of brinjal. The disease is transmitted by leaf hopper (Cestius (Hishimonus) phycitis and Amrasca biguttula biguttula). The leaves of the infected plants in the early stages are light yellow in colour. The leaves show a reduction in size and are malformed. Disease affected plant are generally shorter in stature bearing a large number of branches, roots and leaves than healthy plants. The petioles get shorter considerably, many buds appear in the axil of leaves and internodes get shortened thus giving the plants a bushy appearance. Flower parts are deformed leading the plants to be sterile. Infected plants do not bear any fruit. However, if any fruit is formed it becomes hard and tough and fails to mature. Control: Adopting sanitary measures including the eradication of susceptible volunteer crop plants from a previous planting can reduce the damage. Use of barriers of trap crops and early removal and destruction of infected plants is also recommended. The sowing time can be adjusted to avoid the main flights of the beet leafhopper. Spraying Malathion (2ml/litre of water) starting with the appearance of the leaf hoppers controls their population.
Mosaic : This is a viral disease caused by Potato Virus Y and transmitted by aphids (Aphis gossypi and Myzus persicae). The important symptoms of the disease are mosaic mottling of the leaves and stunting of plants. The leaves of infected plants are deformed, small and leathery. Plants show a stunted growth when infected in the early stages. Control: The disease incidence can be minimised by reducing the population of aphids, removal and destruction of infected plants and eradication of susceptible weed hosts. In the nursery, aphids can be controlled by application of Carbofuran (1 kg a.i./ha) in the nursery bed at the time of sowing seeds followed by 2-3 foliar sprays of Phosphamidon (0.05%) at an interval of 10 days. Spraying Phosphamidon (0.05%) at 10 days interval starting from 15-20 days after transplanting effectively controls the aphids in the field.
Brinjal Harvesting The fruits become ready for first picking in about 120-130 days of seed sowing depending on the variety. The harvesting of the fruits should be done as soon as it attains a good size and colour. Fruits are harvested when they become greenish yellow or bronze and their flesh turns dry and tough. Pressing the thumb against the side of the fruit can indicate the maturity of the fruit. If the pressed portion springs back to its original shape, the fruit is too immature. Some portion of the calyx and the stem-end is retained on the fruit during harvesting. Since all the fruits do not mature at the same time, the fruits are harvested at an interval of 8-10 days.
Yield Depending on variety and season the average yield of brinjal varies from 20-30 t/ha.
Brinjal Intercultural Operations The field should be kept weed-free, especially in the initial stage of plant growth, as weeds compete with the crop and reduce the yield drastically. Frequent shallow cultivation should be done at regular interval so as to keep the field free from weeds and to facilitate soil aeration and proper root development. Deep cultivation is injurious because of the damage of roots and exposure of moist soil to the surface. Two-three hoeing and the earthing up are required to keep the crop free of weeds. Preemergence application of Fluchloralin (1.5 kg a.i./ha) coupled with one hand weeding 30 days after transplanting is effective for control of weeds.
Brinjal Irrigation Continuous supply of moisture should be maintained around the root zone of the plant. A light irrigation is given on the first and third day after transplanting. Thereafter irrigation is given at an interval of 8-10 days during winter and 5-6 days during summer.
Brinjal Manuring & Fertilization The fertilizer dose depends upon the fertility of soil and amount of organic manure applied to the crop. For a good yield, 15-20 tonnes of well-decomposed FYM is incorporated into the soil. Generally, application of 150 kg N, 100 kg P2O5 and 50 kg K2O is recommended for optimum yield. Half dose of N and full dose of P and K is given at the time of planting. The balance half of N is given in 3 equal split doses. The first split dose is given one and half month after transplanting, the second dose one month after the first application and the final at three and half months after transplanting. For hybrid varieties, the recommended dose is 200 kg N, 100 kg P2O5 and 100 Kg K2O. Out of this dose, 25 % of N and 100 % of P & K is applied as basal dose. Remaining 75 % of P is applied in three equal split doses. The first split dose of N is applies 20 days after transplanting. The second dose is given just before the onset of flowering while the third after the first picking/harvesting.
Brinjal Pests Shoot and Fruit Borer (Leucinodes orbonalis): Shoot and fruit borer cause a serious damage to the fruits leading to severe reduction in the yield. The damage to the fruits starts soon after transplanting and continues till harvest of the fruits. The adult female lays eggs on the ventral surface of the leaves, flower buds and on young fruits. Short pinkish larva of the pest initially bore into the terminal shoots resulting in withering and drying of the shoot. In the later stage, it bores into the young fruits by making holes and feeds inside which makes the fruits unfit for consumption. Such fruits rot in severe case. Control: Continuous cropping of brinjal on the same piece of land should be avoided. As soon as the insect is detected, the affected parts should be clipped along with the insect and destroyed. Fruits showing any boring should be picked and destroyed. Spraying the crops with Carbaryl (0.1%) or Cypermethrin (0.5ml/litre of water) at fortnightly intervals starting from 35 days after transplanting controls the pest. Best results are obtained when all the affected fruits are removed before spraying.
Leaf Eating Beetle (Epilachana vigintioctopunctata): The yellowish coloured grubs and adults feed voraciously on the leaves and tender parts of the plant and often cause serious damage when they appear in numbers. As a result, the leaves are completely skeletonized leaving only a network of veins. Control: Collection and destruction of infested leaves along with the grubs, adult and eggs reduces the pest incidence. Spraying the crop with Malathion (2ml/litre of water) or Carbaryl (2-4 g/litre of water) effectively controls the pest.
Jassids (Amrasca biguttula biguttula, Cestius (Hishimonus) phycitis): Both nymphs and adults suck the sap from the lower surface of the leaves. The infested leaf curl upward along the margins, which may turn yellowish and show, burnt up patches. They also transit mycoplasma disease like little leaf and virus disease like mosaic. Fruit setting is adversely affected by the infestation. Control: Jassids are controlled by spraying Malathion (0.1%) or Dichlorvos (0.05%) 20 days after transplanting.
Leaf Roller (Eublemma olivacea): Caterpillars roll leaves and feed on chlorophyll while remaining inside the folds. The folded leaves wither and dry up. Control: Collection and destruction of infested leaves along with insects in the initial stage help to minimize the infestation. Spraying of Carbaryl (0.1%) or Malathion (0.05%) controls the pest effectively.
RedSpidermite (Tetranychus neocaledonicus, Tetranychus cinnabarinus, Paratetranychus indicus): The mite is a pest of brinjal. Low relative humidity favours mite multiplication. Different stages of mites are found in colonies covered by white-silky webs on lower surface of leaves. Nymphs and adults suck cell sap and white patches appear on leaves. Affected leaves become mottled, turn brown and fall.Control: During egg stage and the resting stages, most miticides are ineffective. At high temperatures, it may be necessary to apply these at an interval of two days. Acaricides like Dicofol (0.05%) and Wettable Sulphur (0.3%) gives effective control of mites. Collection and burning of severely infested plant parts reduces further multiplication of mites. Proper irrigation and clean cultivation are essential to keep the pest population under control.
Mealy Bug (Centrocccus insolitus): Nymphs and adults of mealy bugs suck sap from the leaves, tender shoots, and the fruits. Leaves show characteristic curling symptoms similar to that of a virus. A heavy black sooty mould may develop on the honeydew like droplets secreted by mealy bugs. If the flower blooms are attacked, the fruit set is affected. When the fruits are infested, they can be entirely covered with the mealy bug. The infestation may lead to fruit drop or the fruits remain on the shoots in a dried and shriveled condition. Control: Unlike the adults, the crawlers are free from waxy coating and therefore the crawler stage is the most effective for spraying pesticides. Spraying of insecticides like Dichlorvos (0.02%) or Chlorpyriphos (0.05%) with fish oil rosin soap was found to control the insect population.
Lace Wing Bug (Urentius hystricellus): This is a specific pest of brinjal mostly attacking in the summer season. Nymphs and dark brown bugs with lace like wings suck the sap from leaves, which turn yellowish and are found covered with insect excreta. Affected leaves ultimately dry up. Control: Proper crop rotation and spraying with Phosphamidon (0.03%) help in the reduction of the pest population.
Root-Knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne javanica): The root-knot nematode damage is more harmful to seedlings than to older plants. The affected plants show the development of galls on the roots. The plants become stunted and the leaves show chlorotic symptoms. Fruiting is adversely affected. Control: Crop rotation with root knot nematode resistant crops like marigold etc. help in the reduction of nematode population. Treating the nursery beds with Aldicarb or Carbofuran @ 2g 2 a.i./m is effective in increasing the seedling growth and reducing the nematode population. Application of Aldicarb or Carbofuran @1-2 kg a.i. /ha effectively reduces the nematode population in the field.
Brinjal Post Harvest Technology Grading : The fruits are graded according to their size and colour. The Bureau of Indian Standards has recommended three grades for brinjal, viz., Super, Fancy and Commercial.
Packaging : Normally the fruits are packed in bamboo baskets and transported to nearby markets.
Storage : The fruits can be stored for 1-2 days in summer and 3-4 days in winter season provided they are kept in shade under ordinary conditions. In cold storage, the fruits are stored for 7-10 days at a temperature of 7-10째C with 85-95% relative humidity.
Cool Chain : Cool chain is essential during the transport of export quality commodity all the way from the farm to the customer. This helps in maintaining the temperature inside the box at the same low level as in the cold storage. The various stages of the cool chain are: 1. Coldstore at the farm. 2. Refrigerated truck from farm to the airport 3. Coldstore at the airport. 4. Building up of the pallet in a coldstore at the airport. 5. Loading the aircrafts directly from the coldstore in a short time. 6. Cargo aircraft maintains coldstore temperature in hold. 7. Off loading direct into a coldstore in the receiving country. 8. Refrigerated truck to the customers.
Brinjal Planting Land Preparation: The field is ploughed to fine tilth by giving four to five ploughing with a sufficient interval between two ploughing. Planking should be done for proper levelling. The field is then divided into beds and channels. Well-decomposed FYM is thoroughly incorporated at the time of land preparation.
Spacing: Spacing depends upon the type of variety grown and the season of planting. Normally the long fruited varieties are transplanted at 60 x 45 cm, the round varieties at 75 x 60 cm and high yielding varieties at 90 x 90 cm spacing. Seedlings are transplanted in furrows in light soils and on side of the ridges in case of heavy soils. A pre-soaking irrigation is given 3-4 days prior to transplanting. At the time of transplanting, the roots of the seedlings should be dipped in a solution of Bavistin (2g/litre of water). Transplanting should preferably be done in the evening.
Brinjal Propagation Nursery Bed Preparation : Brinjal seeds are sown on nursery beds to raise seedlings for transplanting in the field. Raised beds are necessary to avoid problem of water logging in heavy soils. In sandy soils, however, sowing can be taken up in flat beds. Raised beds of size 7.2 x 1.2 m and 10-15 cm in height are prepared. Thus, ten such beds are sufficient to raise seedlings for planting one hectare area. About 70cm distance is kept between two beds to carry out operations of watering, weeding, etc. The surface of beds should be smooth and well levelled. Well-decomposed FYM or leaf mould may be mixed with the soil at the time of bed preparation. To avoid mortality of seedlings due to damping off, drenching of the beds with Bavistin (15-20 g/10 litres of water) is effective.
Raising of Seedlings : About 250-300 g of seed are sufficient for raising seedlings for one hectare of land. Prior to sowing seeds are treated with fungal culture of Trichoderma viride (4 g/ kg of seed) or Thiram (2g/ kg of seed) to avoid damage from damping-off disease. Sowing should be done thinly in lines spaced at 5-7 cm distance. Seeds are sown at a depth of 2-3 cm and covered with a fine layer of soil followed by light watering by water can. The beds should then be covered with dry straw or grass or sugarcane leaves to maintain required temperature and moisture. The watering should be done by water can as per the need till germination is completed. The cover of dry straw or grass is removed immediately after germination is complete. During the last week in nursery, the seedlings may be hardened by slightly withholding water. The seedlings are ready for transplanting within 4-6 weeks of planting when they attain a height of 15 cm with 2-3 true leaves. The sowing and transplanting time in different seasons are as follows-
Season
Time of sowing nd
Time of transplanting
Kharif
2 week of June
July-August
Rabi
End of September
October-November
Summer
2 week of January
nd
February
Brinjal Soil & Climate Soil: Brinjal can be grown on all types of soils. However, it grows best in loose, friable, well-drained silt loam or clay loam soils rich in organic matter. An early crop gives good yield in light soils. The crop is moderately tolerant to acidic soils and a pH range of 6.0-6.8 is considered as optimum better growth and development.
Climate: Brinjal is a warm season crop and requires a long warm growing season. it is very susceptible to O frost. A daily mean temperature of 13-21 C is most favourable for its successful production. Brinjal is highly susceptible to frost injury. The growth of the crop is severely affected when temperature falls below 17OC. It can be successfully grown as a rainy season and summer season crop and can be grown at an elevation of 1200m above the sea level.
Brinjal Varieties Pusa Purple Long Released by IARI, New Delhi. It is an early maturing and long fruited type variety. Fruits are glossy, light purple in colour, 25-30 cm long, smooth and tender. Crop is ready for picking in 100 to 110 days. Suitable for spring and autumn plantings, average yield is 27.5 t/ha. It is moderately tolerant to shoot borer and little leaf disease.
Pusa Purple Cluster Released by IARI, New Delhi. It is an early maturing and long fruited type variety. Fruits are small, dark purple in colour and borne in clusters. The crop is ready for picking in 75 days after transplanting. Variety is resistant to little leaf disease under natural conditions.
Pusa Kranti Released by IARI, New Delhi. The variety has a dwarf and spreading growth habit. Fruits are oblong and stocky than slender with attractive dark purple colour. Good for both spring and autumn plantings under North Indian conditions. Crop matures in 130-150 days. Average yield is 14-16 t/ha.
Pusa Barsati Released by PAU, Ludhiana. The variety has a dwarf and erect growth habit devoid of thorns. Fruits are medium, long and purple with average yield 35.5 t/ha.
Manjri Gota The variety has a dwarf and spreading growth habit. The fruits are medium-large, round and purple coloured with white stripes. Upon maturity, the fruits attain a golden yellow colour. Average yield is 1520 t/ha.
Vaishali The variety has a dwarf and spreading type of growth habit. Fruits are oval in shape purple in colour with white stripes. The stalks of the fruits bear spines. Crop is ready for first picking within 60 days after transplanting. Average yield is 30 t/ha.
Arka Navneet Released by IIHR, Bangalore. High yielding hybrid. Fruits are large oval to oblong with deep purple shining skin with each fruit 450 g in weight. Purple flowers with solitary bearing habit. Free from bitter principles with very good cooking qualities. Crop is ready for picking in 150-160 days. Average yield is 65-70 t/ha.
Arka Sheel Released by IIHR, Bangalore.. Fruits medium long with deep shining purple skin. Calyx fleshy and green. Purple flower with solitary bearing habit. Crop is ready for picking in 150-160 days. Average yield is 38 t/ha.
Arka Kusmukar Released by IIHR, Bangalore. Spreading plant habit with green stem & green leaves. Flowers white green small fruits borne in cluster. Soft texture with good cooking quality. Crop is ready for picking in 140-150 days. Average yield is 40 t/ha .
Arka Nidhi ( BWR - 12) Released by IIHR, Bangalore. High yielding variety with resistance to bacterial wilt. Fruits borne in cluster. Calyx purplish green. Fruits free from bitter principles with slow seed maturity and good cooking quality. Crop is ready for picking in 150 days. Average yield is 48 t/ha.
Arka Keshav ( BWR - 21 ) Released by IIHR, Bangalore. High yielding bacterial wilt resistant variety. Fruits tender, free from bitter principles with seed maturity. Crop is ready for picking in 150 days. Average yield is 45 t/ha.
Arka Neelkanth ( BWR - 54 ) Released by IIHR, Bangalore. High yielding variety with bacterial wilt resistance. Fruits tender, free from bitter principles with seed maturity. Crop is ready for picking in 150 days. Average yield is 43 t/ha.
Pusa Ankur Released by IARI, New Delhi. Fruits are oval-round, small-sized (60-80g), bark purple, attractive fruits. Fruits are small, oval-round, bark purple, glossy and very attractive, weighing each 60-80g. It is an early bearing and becomes ready for first picking 45 days after transplanting. Its fruits do not lose color and tenderness even on delayed pickings.
Exotic Varieties: UK Table Purpose Black Beauty, Florence Purple, Blacknite, Caspar, Long Purpule, Black Beauty.