Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

The effect of rootstock and nutrient solution concentration on eggplant grown in a soilless system

Author(s):

Carla Cassaniti, Francesco Giuffrida ^*, Domenica Scuderi, Cherubino Leonardi

Recieved Date: 2011-06-14, Accepted Date: 2011-09-21

Abstract:

An investigation was effectuated to better understand the grafting influence on yield, fruit quality and mineral uptake of eggplants grown under different ion availability of the nutrient solution. The trial was carried out in a cold greenhouse in 2009, adopting an open soilless cultivation system. Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) seedlings (cv. ‘Black Bell’ F₁) were grafted on S. torvum Sw. or self-grafted (control). Plants were fed with two nutrient solutions characterized by the same ion ratio but different macronutrient concentrations: full strength-100% or reduced strength-60%. At the end of the trial significant differences were related to rootstock more than nutrient solution. The vigour of plants grafted on S. torvum expressed by the greater plant dry weight and yield compared to the self-grafted ones, was related to the major root development. For nutrient uptake, the majority of the analyzed ions showed high amounts in plants grafted on S. torvum or fed with the full strength conditions, probably also due to their higher plant dry weight. There were slight differences on the considered qualitative fruit characteristics. The adoption of S. torvum did not influence mineral uptake under the different strengths of the nutrient solution: no significant interaction was observed between grafting and nutrient solution concentration. However, this rootstock caused a higher biomass production even under reduced concentration than control plants grown at the full strength. The use of a vigorous rootstock could be therefore proposed for reducing fertilizer applications in view of a low-input sustainable horticulture.

Keywords:

Solanum melongena, Solanum torvum, aubergine, rootstock, soilless system, substrate, grafting, mineral composition, nutrient uptake, yield, fruit quality

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2011
Volume: 9
Issue: 3&4
Category: Agriculture
Pages: 252-256

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