Quality of Eggplant Fruits in Relation to Growing Medium Used in Greenhouse Cultivation and to a Cultivar

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine sensory quality and physical traits of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) fruits in relation to growing medium used in greenhouse cultivation. Eggplants were grown in a greenhouse with controlled climate and drip fertilizing system, in the three different mediums: coconut fiber, wood fiber (environment friendly mediums) and rockwool (standard horticultural medium). Cultivars used in the experiment were: Scorpio, Oscar, Tango and DRA 2086. Fruits were harvested in June, at optimal maturity. Sensory quality of roasted fruits was analyzed in the panel of 12 experts using the quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA). The set of 19 descriptors of quality plus overall quality were evaluated. Fruit colour was measured with HunterLab colorimeter, using CIE L*a*b* system. Fruit firmness was measured with HPE II durometer, and puncture load with a penetrometer. Results showed that growing mediums influenced some sensory traits, but genotype showed stronger influence on the quality of fruits. Physical traits of fruits were low related to growing mediums, but more to genotype. All the three growing mediums showed their suitability for eggplant cultivation in respect of quality of the fruits.