Effects of Planting Date and Spray-On Mulch on Yield of Eggplant Cultivars

Abstract

Improved cultural methods are needed so that eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) yields can be sustained. For new production areas these methods need to be defined. Spray-on mulch can be an alternative to conventional plastic mulch which must be removed from fields and disposed. Environmental conditions can affect yield and planting dates that benefit yield need to be determined. Cultivars with elongate or oval fruit were transplanted into spray-on mulch covered, or bare soil, at mid- to late-April or May in 1990 and 1991. Earlier planting improved total and marketable yield, and the marketable to total yield ratio, but not average fruit weight. Spray-on mulch did not increase yield, and reduced the marketable to total yield ratio and average fruit weight in 1991. The use of this spray-on mulch is not recommended for this crop at this location. Total and marketable yield of the elongated cultivar Tycoon equalled or surpassed that of the oval-fruit types in 1991. The oval fruit types had the highest marketable to total fruit ratio, and heaviest fruit. Yield was compared to receipts at a terminal market. Yield distribution from the April transplanting coincided with the distribution of eggplant passing through the market. Late season fruit produced from the May transplanting were available when there was a reduction in amounts of eggplant moving through the market. Eggplant yield can be sustained in a new production area on bare soil without the added expense of spray-on mulch.