EFFECT OF NPK ON GROWTH AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF BRINJAL

The growth, dry matter and yield of eggplant under varying levels of NPK 15:15:15 were evaluated in both pot and field trials. Results from the pot trial showed a significant enhancement in fruit yield with increasing fertilizer level up to 200kg/ha while other shoot’s characteristics (stem number, plant height and stem length) were favored up to 300kg/ha. Unexpectedly, a significant flower number increment at 300kg/ha did not lead to a significant yield increase. Field trial’s results showed that growth, yield and other shoot’s characteristics greatly increased up to 200kgNPK/ha application after which there was either insignificant increment or a decline. Increment of dry weight towards maturity suggests that there was no cessation in eggplant growth even when partitioning of assimilates towards fruit development took place. The study concluded that 200kg NPK/ha is adequate for optimum growth, dry matter production (pre-anthesis and anthesis stages) and yield in both field and greenhouse conditions.