Growth and Yield Response of Different Brinjal Cultivars to Irrigation Deficit Conditions

Abstract

Brinjal is an important vegetable crop having low fat content and high nutritional value. Brinjal is considered moderately sensitive to water deficit conditions. A study was conducted to investigate growth and yield potential of different brinjal cultivars i.e. ‘Black Long’, ‘Nirala’, ‘Bemisal’ and ‘Purple Queen’ in response to various levels of water stress by providing 100, 80 and 60% of the required irrigation. The results revealed that growth and yield characteristics of brinjal cultivars varied to a great extent in response to water stress. As expected, 100% irrigation level showed the highest plant growth and fruit yield, while a gradual decrease in growth and yield of brinjal was observed with increasing water stress, the lowest being at 60% irrigation level. ‘Black Long’ and ‘Nirala’ produced significantly better results for most of the parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, root length, number of flowers and fruits, fruit length and fruit yield per plant in response to varying degree of water stress. It is concluded from the results that ‘Black Long’ and ‘Nirala’ are best suited for arid areas which are facing water deficit conditions during most of the time in the year, but full potential of the crop can be achieved by managing the irrigation.