Yield and postharvest qualities of two genotypes of eggplant (Solanum melongena l.) applied with different levels of chicken dung

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the different levels of chicken dung on the yield, and postharvest qualities of two genotypes of eggplant. The pot experiment was laid-out in a split plot randomized complete block design with chicken dung levels as the main plot and eggplant genotypes (Casino &Morena) as subplot. The levels of chicken dung were divided as T1 (zero), T2 (200 g/plant), T3 (400 g/plant), T4 (600 g/plant), T5 (800 g/plant), T6 (1.0 kg/ plant, and T7 (2.0 kg/ plant). Casino genotype produced higher yield than Morena genotype under Visca agro-climatic condition. The application of 400 grams of chicken dung per plant (T3) showed the highest yield in both genotypes which were significantly different from the control (T1), T2, T6, and T7. This simply means that a cost-effective application of chicken dung at 5 tons per hectare is worth recommending for optimum eggplant production. Casino has a higher oxidation-reduction potential and ascorbic acid values but with lower electrical conductivity than Morena hybrid. This means that Morena contains higher amount of electrolytes with better storability for a longer period of time but with lesser vitamin C content than the Casino genotypes. Ascorbic acid content and electrical conductivity were enhanced by the application of chicken dung which declined beyond 800 grams per plant or at an application of 10 tons per hectare particularly with Casino hybrid for ascorbic acid and Morena hybrid for electrical conductivity. All these results would indicate the importance of organic fertilizer application to attain highest yield with best postharvest qualities of eggplant.