How to grow eggplant to achieve high yield?

Eggplant, as an annual herb, has become one of the main vegetables in summer and autumn with its strong adaptability, high yield and long supply period. Eggplant generally grows in a warm and heat-resistant environment. The optimum growth temperature is 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. Growth will stop below 10 degrees Celsius. Let’s learn together how to grow eggplant for high yield.

1. Soil selection and land preparation

Choose clay loam with strong fertilizer retention ability for planting, avoid continuous cropping with peppers, tomatoes and potatoes, and it is recommended to rotate with non-Solanaceae vegetables for more than 3 years. When preparing the land, use deep trenches and high ridges, and the ridge surface needs to be flat to prevent water accumulation and root rot. Generally, the width of the ridge is 0.8 to 1 meter (including the ditch), the height is 30 centimeters, and the ridge runs from north to south.

2. Seeding and cultivation

In November and December, seedlings are raised in a hotbed. First, the seeds are soaked and disinfected in 5% potassium permanganate solution for 30 minutes, then washed and soaked in warm water at about 30 degrees Celsius for 6 to 8 hours. The mucus on the seed coat is washed off, and the seeds are covered with a wet cloth after draining. Germination is carried out in a place of 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. When about 60% of the seeds are "cracked", they can be sown. Transplanting is carried out during the Qingming Festival, usually in two rows. The row spacing for early-maturing varieties is 50 cm × 40 cm, and for medium-early varieties it is 70 cm × 40 cm. About 3,500 plants are planted per 667 square meters.

3. Field management

(1) Fertilization and soil cultivation

Applying sufficient base fertilizer is the key to ensuring stable and high yields. Eggplant responds well to basal fertilizer. When preparing the land, deep plowing and application of well-rotted organic fertilizer should be done to improve the soil and increase its fertility. Generally, 1500 to 2000 kg of organic fertilizer, 20 to 30 kg of superphosphate, and 50 to 100 kg of wood ash are applied per 667 square meters and mixed with the soil. After the plants are planted and survive, apply a thin layer of decomposed organic fertilizer water every 4 to 5 days in combination with watering to promote the growth of the seedling rack. After the root eggplant is firmly established, apply organic fertilizer water again at a rate of 800 to 1000 kg/667 square meters. This fertilizer is crucial to plant growth and yield. After that, apply organic fertilizer or urea once every harvest or every 10 days or so. When applying fertilizer, avoid direct contact of fertilizer with leaves or fruits to avoid causing diseases and affecting photosynthesis. In summer and autumn, due to the high temperature, rapid growth and development, fast aging, heavy rainfall and fertilizer and water loss, in addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer, topdressing is very important. Topdressing should be done early. After harvesting the first batch of eggplants, the soil should be cultivated once, especially heavy application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, to promote the growth of the plants, avoid excessive growth and premature aging, and ensure yield and quality.

(2) Drainage and watering

Eggplant needs water but is afraid of waterlogging. During the rainy season, pay attention to clearing ditches and draining water. If water is found in the fields, it should be removed immediately to prevent waterlogging. Normal irrigation can significantly increase production. There are two irrigation methods: pouring irrigation and furrow irrigation.

(3) Cultivation, weeding and soil cultivation

The tillage, weeding and topdressing of eggplant can be carried out at the same time. After intertillage and weeding, let the soil dry and apply organic fertilizer in time. Intertillage can increase soil temperature, promote seedling growth and reduce nutrient consumption.

(4) Pruning and removing old leaves

The growth of eggplant branches and the flowering and fruiting habits are quite regular, so pruning is not much work. Generally, 3 to 4 side branches that are too close to the roots are removed.

(5) Prevent petals from falling

There are many reasons for eggplant flower drop, mainly weak light, dry soil, insufficient nutrition, low temperature and defects in the flower structure. Spraying 50 ml/L of water-soluble anti-drop agent when eggplant is flowering has a very good effect.

4. Pest and disease control

The main diseases of eggplant are eggplant cotton blight and eggplant brown streak disease. Pests include small cutworms and eggplant spiders. For eggplant cotton blight, you can choose 500 to 600 times dilution of 75% Benomyl and 800 times dilution of 50% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder , and use them alternately, focusing on spraying the lower fruits; for eggplant brown streak disease, you can use 500 times dilution of 65% mancozeb wettable powder and other agents, and spray them twice in a row; for small cutworms, the 1st to 8th instar larvae have poor drug resistance and have not yet entered the soil, exposed to parasitic plants or the ground, which is the appropriate period for drug control, spray with 1000 times dilution of 90% dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; for eggplant red spider mites, 2000 times dilution of 73% propargite can be used for spraying at the early stage of the disease.

5. Harvest

20 to 25 days after flowering, when the eggplant peel color and the white ring near the sepals change from light to dark and from wide to narrow, indicating that the growth has slowed down, and the peel becomes brighter, drier, and shows stronger elasticity, it can be picked. The eggplant stalk is relatively thick and hard, so use scissors or a blade to cut or cut the stalk, and do not twist it harshly. In addition, for some eggplant varieties, if they are harvested too late, they are prone to produce odor and lose their edible value.

The above is an introduction to the key points of high-yield eggplant cultivation. When referring to it in practice, you should consider the specific planting conditions in your area.