Author
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Abney, Timmy |
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Russo, Vincent |
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Submitted to: Horticulture Scientia
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 12/5/1996 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Plants respond to the environment and to the management methods imposed on them during their culture. Information on how environmental and cultural methods interact to affect yield in eggplants is lacking. A study was conducted for two years at Lane, Okla., to determine what selected environmental factors affected yield of eggplant grown on mulched and unmulched beds. Plant height, and total and marketable fruit number and yield were correlated with days following transplanting, high and low air temperature, soil temperature, soil moisture, and soil CO2 levels. Plant height and yield responded to environmental and cultural factors. In 1991, days following transplanting was the most consistent factor affecting height and yield. In 1992, soil CO2 levels one week prior to harvest was the most consistent factor affecting measurements. For the 1991 planting fewer factors affected plant height, and total and marketable fruit number and yield than in the 1992 planting. Understanding how environmental factors and cultural methods interact could lead to improvement in yields and income to the producer. Technical Abstract: The interaction of how environment and cultural methods affects eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) development and yield is not well known. This project was undertaken to determine how selected environmental factors affects plant height and yield of eggplant on mulched and bare soil. Seedlings were transplanted on 16 April 1991 and 21 July 1992. The Bernow fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic, Glossic Paleudalf soil at Lane, Okla., was left bare or treated with a black spray-on or polyethylene plastic sheet mulch. Plant height, and total and marketable fruit number and yield were correlated with days following transplanting, high and low air temperature, soil temperature, soil moisture, and soil CO2 levels. Model R2 values, significant at at least P=0.05 for height and yield, ranged from 0.607 to 0.971, and 0.503 to 0.962 in 1991 and 1992, respectively. In 1991, days following transplanting was the most consistent factor affecting height and yield. In 1992, soil CO2 levels one week prior to harvest was the most consistent factor affecting measurements. For the 1991 planting fewer factors affected plant height, and total and marketable fruit number and yield than in the 1992 planting. |
