Eggplant

A well-drained sandy loam of pH 5.5 to 6.5 with high organic matter content is ideal for growing eggplant. See Soil Management for methods and materials to increase soil organic matter content and descriptions of liming materials and their effect on soil pH, a nd Ca and Mg availability. As shown below, several sidedressings are usually recommended because of the long growing season. Older USDA publications recommend 15 to 20 tons per acre of manure, plus 750 to 1000 pounds of 5-8-5 fertilizer. See Soil Management for other organic sources of these nutrients and for recommendations on composting fresh manure. During the growing season, if questions arise as to fertility status, plant sa p nitrate-N and potassium status can be determined by petiole sap testing.

Eggplant nutrient recommendations based on soil tests

Fertilizer timing			Nitrogen lbs/acre	Soil phosphorus level-lbs/acre P2O5				..	..	Soil potassium level-lbs/acre K2O
				Low	Med	High	V. high			Low	Med	High	V. high
Total recommended			125-150	250	150	100	50	..	..	250	150	100	50
Broadcast and disk in or drill deep			50-100	200	100	50	0	..	..	200	100	50	0
Sidedress3-4 weeks after planting			25-50	50	50	50	50	..	..	50	50	50	50
Sidedress 6-8 weeks after planting			25-50	0	0	0	0	..	..	0	0	0	0

Apply 1-2 pounds of boron per acre with broadcast fertilizer.

Eggplant petiole sap testing for nitrate and potassium

Planting

Normally, transplants are used to establish eggplants in the field. Seeds germinate in 5 days at 86 degrees F, but may require up to 13 days at 68 degrees F. Transplants require 6 to 8 weeks growth at daytime temperatures of 70 to 80 degrees F and night time temperatures of 65 to 70 degrees F to be ready for field planting after all danger of frost is past. Careful watering-in is necessary at the time of transplanting because transplants are very sensitive to water stress. Plants are typically establis hed in 30-to-36-inch rows with 18 to 24 inches between plants.

Eggplant is very responsive to the use of black plastic and drip irrigation because of warmer soil temperatures in the spring, protection from weeds, and consistent water availability. With this system, they can be grown in double rows. In Louisiana, eggplants are sometimes trellised and sheared for increased yield and quality.

Second Crop

Although eggplants will keep growing and flowering all summer if kept picked, they are more productive if cut back and allowed to regrow. In milder regions of the South, plants are often mowed down to heights of 6 to 8 inches in late July following the first crop, or the plants can be pruned to just above the crotch. An additional 50 to 60 pounds of nitrogen per acre and 80 to 120 pounds K2O is applied. The second crop is ready to be harvested in 4 to 6 weeks.

Integrated Pest Management

Life cycles and monitoring and control practices for some of the common insect pests in the southern states are described in Integrated Pest Management. Some of the important diseases of vegetables in the South and their control are described in Disease Management. However, it may be possible to select cultivars with multiple resistances. New cultivars ar e constantly being released, and this list is not meant to be inclusive.

Eggplant cultivars with insect and disease resistance