Influence of Grafting, Spacing and Fertigation Levels on Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Leaf Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Contents

Abstract

A study was undertaken to assess the influence of grafting, spacing and fertigation levels on eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) contents. Eggplant was grafted on a wild species, Solanum torvum, and the grafts were evaluated under a strip plot design with four levels of spacing (S1: 1 m x 1 m, S2: 2 m x 1 m, S3: 1.5 m x 1.5 m and S4: 0.6 m x 0.6 m) and three levels of fertigation, F1: 75 % RDF (Recommended Dose of Fertilizer), F2: 100 % RDF and F3: 125 % RDF, replicated four times. After six months, the plants were pruned to obtain the ratoon crop which lasted four months. Non grafted seedlings were kept for comparison. Analysis of leaf N, P and K was done at the end of both main and ratoon crops as well as in seedlings. The analysis of variance was conducted and the performance of eggplant grafts and seedlings were compared using t-test. The results indicated that the grafts recorded the highest leaf N, P and K than the seedlings. Eggplant grafts planted at the wider spacing (1.5 m x 1.5 m) and applied with the recommended dose of fertilizer (100 per cent RDF) were more efficient in nutrients (N, P and K) uptake for further utilization in different functions leading to development and production.