{"id":11171,"date":"2024-08-28T10:11:08","date_gmt":"2024-08-28T14:11:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/highmoor\/?page_id=11171"},"modified":"2024-08-28T10:11:08","modified_gmt":"2024-08-28T14:11:08","slug":"evaluations-2023","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/highmoor\/resources-by-crop\/eggplant\/evaluations-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Eggplant Evaluations: 2023 Research Report"},"content":{"rendered":"

Peyton Ginakes, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Research Associate<\/strong>
\nMark Hutton, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Vegetable Specialist
\nDavid Handley, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Small Fruit and Vegetable Specialist<\/strong><\/p>\n

An eggplant cultivar evaluation was initiated in 2023 at the University of Maine\u2019s Highmoor Farm in Monmouth, Maine. Production potential of 12 eggplant cultivars were compared to update Italian-type eggplant cultivar recommendations for commercial growers.<\/p>\n

\"Close
Figure 1<\/strong>. Eggplant harvested from cultivar evaluations at University of Maine\u2019s Highmoor Farm in Monmouth, ME in 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Planting<\/h3>\n

Eggplant seeds were sown in flat trays filled with Pro-Mix BX with Mycorrhizae media on May 3 (58 days before transplanting) and kept on heating mats at 75 \u02daF for 12 days, until germination plateaued. Seedlings were fertilized with 1 Tbsp\/gal of Jack\u2019s Professional 9-45-15 Plant Starter soluble fertilizer on May 12 (9 days after seeding). When trays were removed from heating mats, seedlings were pricked out individually into 50-cell trays at one seed per cell.<\/p>\n

Beds were fertilized with 500 lb\/ac of 10-10-10 fertilizer and harrowed on May 31 (30 days before transplanting), which was greatly delayed by extreme precipitation. Field work was able to continue by June 25, when beds were shaped and covered with 1.5 mil biodegradable black plastic. A single row of drip tape was laid under each bed. On June 26, Gramoxone and Duel Magnum were applied at label rates as preemergent herbicides. Seedlings were transplanted by hand on June 30 (58 days after seeding) after a rolling dibbler was used to mark a single row of holes every 15\u201d. Each plot contained 12 plants. The trial was designed as a single factor replicated complete block design with four blocks of 12 cultivars each (Table 1).<\/p>\n

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<\/a>Table 1. Attributes of 12 eggplant cultivars evaluated at University of Maine\u2019s Highmoor Farm in Monmouth, ME in 2023.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/caption>\n

Cultivar<\/th>\nColor<\/th>\nHybrid Status<\/th>\nAvailable Organic<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Annina<\/td>\ngraffiti<\/td>\nF1<\/sub><\/td>\nyes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Black Beauty<\/td>\npurple<\/td>\nOP<\/td>\nno<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Classic<\/td>\npurple<\/td>\nF1<\/sub><\/td>\nno<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Epic<\/td>\npurple<\/td>\nF1<\/sub><\/td>\nno<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Galine<\/td>\npurple<\/td>\nF1<\/sub><\/td>\nno<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gaudi<\/td>\npurple<\/td>\nF1<\/sub><\/td>\nyes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ghost Story<\/td>\nwhite<\/td>\nF1<\/sub><\/td>\nno<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Megal<\/td>\npurple<\/td>\nF1<\/sub><\/td>\nno<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nadia<\/td>\npurple<\/td>\nF1<\/sub><\/td>\nno<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Picasso<\/td>\npurple<\/td>\nF1<\/sub><\/td>\nno<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Thanos<\/td>\npurple<\/td>\nF1<\/sub><\/td>\nno<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Traviata<\/td>\npurple<\/td>\nF1<\/sub><\/td>\nno<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Weeds were controlled by hand and with a flame weeder throughout the growing season. Colorado potato beetle was picked from plants by hand August 10 (41 days after transplanting), and Asana XL was applied at label rates to further control insect pests four days later.<\/p>\n

Data Collection<\/h3>\n

Eggplant were harvested seven times, weekly from September 6 to October 16 (68 to 108 days after transplanting). From each plot, marketable fruit were harvested and separated into two classes: A) fruit with no blemishes and in excellent condition were classified as fancy for retail and wholesale markets, whereas B) fruit of good but not excellent visual quality were deemed suitable for marketing directly to consumers. The number and weight of fruit in each class were recorded for all plots at every harvest. Fruit that were not marketable were also harvested and weighed, with reasons for culling noted.<\/p>\n

\"Graph
Figure 2<\/strong>. Cumulative marketable yield of 12 eggplant cultivars grown at University of Maine\u2019s Highmoor Farm in Monmouth, ME in 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Results<\/h3>\n

Early yields were predominated by Annina, Gaudi, and Thanos (Fig. 2). Yields of all cultivars except Black Beauty increased sharply at the third harvest on Sep 20 (82 days after transplanting). Thanos produced the greatest marketable yield over the season with nearly five marketable fruit per plant and a very low cull rate (Table 2). Annina, Classic, and Picasso produced the largest quantity and weight of high-quality, fancy fruit that would be suitable for retail or wholesale markets.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>Table 2. Cumulative yield parameters of 12 eggplant cultivars grown at University of Maine\u2019s Highmoor Farm in Monmouth, ME in 2023.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/caption>\n

Cultivar<\/strong><\/th>\nFancy<\/th>\nTotal Marketable<\/th>\nAvg Fruit Wt (lb)<\/th>\nUnmarketable Fruit (%)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
number fruita<\/sup><\/th>\nweight (lb)<\/th>\nnumber fruit<\/th>\nweight (lb)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Annina<\/td>\n13.75<\/td>\nab<\/sup><\/td>\n7.33<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n43.50<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n22.10<\/td>\nabc<\/td>\n0.52<\/td>\nabc<\/td>\n32<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Classic<\/td>\n13.00<\/td>\na<\/td>\n7.86<\/td>\na<\/td>\n45.25<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n27.73<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n0.61<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n16<\/td>\nb<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Picasso<\/td>\n12.75<\/td>\na<\/td>\n8.20<\/td>\na<\/td>\n42.25<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n26.95<\/td>\nabc<\/td>\n0.63<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n18<\/td>\nb<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Thanos<\/td>\n8.00<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n5.55<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n49.25<\/td>\na<\/td>\n29.94<\/td>\na<\/td>\n0.61<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n16<\/td>\nb<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Megal<\/td>\n5.78<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n2.40<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n33.33<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n12.28<\/td>\nabc<\/td>\n0.37<\/td>\nc<\/td>\n31<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nadia<\/td>\n5.50<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n3.14<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n32.00<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n15.82<\/td>\nabc<\/td>\n0.49<\/td>\nbc<\/td>\n22<\/td>\nb<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gaudi<\/td>\n4.75<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n2.35<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n34.25<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n17.22<\/td>\nabc<\/td>\n0.50<\/td>\nbc<\/td>\n29<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Epic<\/td>\n3.75<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n2.54<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n33.75<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n17.84<\/td>\nabc<\/td>\n0.52<\/td>\nabc<\/td>\n26<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Traviata<\/td>\n2.50<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n1.33<\/td>\nb<\/td>\n31.25<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n16.75<\/td>\nabc<\/td>\n0.53<\/td>\nabc<\/td>\n25<\/td>\nb<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ghost Story<\/td>\n2.25<\/td>\nb<\/td>\n1.43<\/td>\nb<\/td>\n45.33<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n23.85<\/td>\nabc<\/td>\n0.51<\/td>\nbc<\/td>\n33<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Black Beauty<\/td>\n2.00<\/td>\nb<\/td>\n1.18<\/td>\nb<\/td>\n12.25<\/td>\nb<\/td>\n7.85<\/td>\nc<\/td>\n0.59<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n38<\/td>\nab<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Galine<\/td>\n2.00<\/td>\nb<\/td>\n1.44<\/td>\nb<\/td>\n13.75<\/td>\nb<\/td>\n9.29<\/td>\nbc<\/td>\n0.71<\/td>\na<\/td>\n61<\/td>\na<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/sup> Yield data are for 10-plant plots.
\nb<\/sup> Values in a column with no shared letters indicate a difference between cultivars at p < 0.05.<\/p>\n

Black Beauty and Galine consistently yielded poorly despite large fruit size, largely because of the large number of unmarketable fruit each produced. Galine was especially prone to thrips damage, frequently resulting in severe blossom end scarring (data not shown). As is common with plants that produce light-skinned fruit, Ghost Story, a white-fruited cultivar, was prolific. However, it also produced a significantly smaller quantity of fancy fruit than top-yielding cultivars due to scarring and cracking.<\/p>\n

Notably, Megal produced small, slender fruit while all other cultivars produced eggplant that weighed about or more than \u00bd pound each. Galine produced the largest fruit, and Classic, Picasso, and Thanos were also all relatively large. Annina, Nadia, and Gaudi were all relatively small-fruited, but produced eggplant of excellent quality.<\/p>\n

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Annina<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\"purple<\/td>\n\n