(163) Influence of Single or Mixed Cover Crops on Biomass Production and Fruit Yields of Eggplant Grown with or without Synthetic Nitrogen

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how leguminous and non-leguminous cover crops alone or in mixture with synthetic nitrogen rates affect aboveground biomass, fruit number, and yield of eggplant. The following fall–spring fertility treatments were applied using randomized complete-block design with three replications: 1) fall-0 N, fallow; spring-0 N; 2) fall-0 N, abruzzi rye; spring-0 N; 3) fall-0 N, hairy vetch; spring-0 N; 4) fall-0 N, abruzzi rye+hairy vetch; spring-0 N; 5) fall-0 N, fallow; spring-70 kg×ha–1 N; 6) fall-0 N, abruzzi rye; spring-70 kg×ha–1 N; 7) fall-0 N, hairy vetch; spring-70 kg×ha–1 N; 8) fall-0 N, abruzzi rye+hairy vetch; spring-70 kg×ha–1 Na; 9) fall-0 N, fallow; spring-140 kg×ha–1 N, 10) fall-0 N, abruzzi rye; spring-140 kg×ha–1 N; 11) fall-0 N, hairy vetch; spring-140 kg×ha–1 N; and 12) fall-0 N, abruzzi rye+hairy vetch; spring-140 kg×ha–1 N. In Spring 2004, `Megal' eggplant seedlings were transplanted. Total yield and fruit number were compiled over 7 weeks, while total vegetative dry matter was measured at final harvest. Maximum aboveground biomass (227.6 g/plant), total yield (28.7 Mg×ha–1) and fruit number (13/plant) were produced by fall-0 N, hairy vetch; spring-70 kg×ha–1 N. Minimum aboveground biomass (53.0 g/plant) was produced by fall-0 N, abruzzi rye; spring-0 N, while minimum total yield (7.8 Mg×ha–1) and fruit number (5/plant) were produced by fall-0 N, fallow; spring-0 N. Results imply that hairy vetch supplemented with N at 70 kg×ha–1 is most effective in supporting fruit number and yield of eggplant.