Impact of nitrogen and boron foliar applications on the growth, phytochemicals, and quality attributes of eggplant (Solanum melongena)

Abstract

The impact of nitrogen (N) and boron (B) foliar applications on Solanum melongena growth, yield, and phytochemicals was studied. The impact of foliar applications using N levels (0, 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1%) and B levels (0, 0.1%, 0.25%, and 0.5%) following a randomized block design with three replications was studied. With the increase in N level, the yield characters increased. Foliar application of N shows the maximum height of plant (112.5 cm), number of leaves (186.0), leaf area (46.20), number of branches (7.67), number of blossom flowers/plant (21.25), number of fruits/plant (11.42), fruit length (10.97 cm), fruit width (7.39 cm), fruit volume (305.7), fruit weight (12.67 g), fruit yield (12.78), protein (10.9%), total carbohydrates (27.5%), and crude fiber (7.21%) while decreasing minimum days at 50% appearance of flowers (48.0). In the case of B application, the maximum height of the plant (112.0 cm), number of leaves (187.6), leaf area (47.82), number of branches (7.67), number of blossom flowers/plant (22.08), number of fruits/plant (11.33), fruit length (10.95 cm), fruit width (7.35 cm), fruit volume (298.0), fruit weight (206.1 g), fruit yield (12.13), protein (9.31%), carbohydrates (30.2%), TSS (4.20), crude fiber (7.34%), DPPH (4.68 mg/mL), Chl a (1.39), Chl b (0.53), TPC (60.78), DAO activity (81.43), and PAO activity (39.10) were observed, while decreasing minimum days at 50% appearance of flowers (48.33). Application of N at 0.5% and B at 0.25% increased the growth, yield parameters, and phytochemical contents of S. melongena. The impact of different nitrogen and boron foliar applications on eggplant growth, phytochemicals, and quality attributes is significantly improved.