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Brinjal is a warm season crop and cannot withstand frost. In northern India, two sowings are done in June-July for the autumn crop, and in November for the spring-summer crop. In the east and the south India, the crop can be grown throughout the year, the main sowing season being during July-August. A third sowing of brinjal can also be done in March for a rainy-season crop. It is advised that for a good yield, 20-25 tonnes of farmyard manure per hectare be incorporated into the soil at the time of its preparation. This is to be supplemented with 100 kg of nitrogen, 60-80 kg each of phosphoric acid and potassium. Half the dose of nitrogen and the full dose of phosphoric acid and potassium should be added to the soil at transplanting, and the rest top-dressed after about four weeks. The foliar application of 35 kg of nitrogen and 45 kg of phosphoric acid per hectare as 4 to 5 sprays is also recommended. It is necessary to maintain an even moisture supply in the soil; over-watering is as harmful as insufficient irrigation. A dry period, followed by a sudden heavy watering, may cause the cracking of tomato fruits. Drip irrigation is economical for raising the crops and for increasing the quality of fruits. As the crop has originated here, India is the centre for brinjal research. A number of varieties have been released by the central and state research institutions including the IARI and the State Agriculture Universities. Some of the varieties like Pusa Purple Long, KT 4, H 8 (Hisar Arun), Pant Samrat, etc. 44 are occupying very large area in the country. DBR 8, DBSR 31 and DBSR have also been become popular. Details on varietal research and improvement are available in the technical section. |
