How to grow eggplant to achieve high yield?

Eggplant can be cultivated through three different growing seasons: spring, summer and autumn, and with the help of winter protection facilities, eggplant can be grown almost all year round. No matter what season you plant eggplant, the key is to understand its growth habits, follow its growth patterns, and use appropriate management techniques to promote its healthy growth. Let’s learn how to grow eggplant to achieve high yield.

1. Requirements for eggplant cultivation

1. Soil selection

Eggplant has strong adaptability to soil, but in order to obtain high yields, you should choose land where Solanaceae crops have not been planted in the past 2-3 years to avoid repeated cropping. Fertile sandy loam or semi-sandy soil is preferred. Heavy clay soil or low-lying waterlogged land are not suitable for planting. The soil pH should be neutral or slightly acidic.

2. Temperature requirements

Eggplant likes warmth and heat, but is afraid of cold. Higher temperatures are required during the growing period to promote flower bud differentiation and flowering and fruiting. The suitable growth temperature is generally above 15-16 degrees, the suitable temperature in the seedling stage is 20-26 degrees, and the suitable temperature in the flowering and fruiting stage is 25-30 degrees.

3. Water and fertilizer requirements

Eggplant has a high demand for water and fertilizer during its growth period, but if there is sufficient base fertilizer, there is no need for excessive watering or fertilizing after the seedlings have grown and before they bloom and bear fruit. After fruit setting, sufficient and stable supply of water and fertilizer is required.

4. Lighting requirements

Eggplant likes light, and sufficient light is conducive to flower bud differentiation and flowering and fruiting. Insufficient light will lead to late differentiation of flower buds and severe flower and fruit drop.

2. Eggplant planting and management technology

1. Sowing time

Eggplant can be grown in spring and fall. Spring planting time varies due to regional climate differences and should be based on local temperatures.

2. Seed treatment

When planting in spring, in order to improve the germination rate and uniformity, the seeds can be soaked to accelerate germination.

3. Seeding and seedling raising

Choose fertile soil, apply sufficient base fertilizer, maintain suitable soil moisture and temperature, and promote seed germination and seedling growth.

4. Post-emergence management

Keep the soil moist and transplant the seedlings at the right time to ensure the healthy growth of the seedlings.

5. Transplanting and planting

Choose an appropriate time for planting, ensure suitable soil temperature, and harden the seedlings before planting to increase the survival rate.

6. Cultivation, loosening and weeding

Carry out inter-cultivation and soil loosening in a timely manner to keep the soil loose and promote root development.

7. Water and fertilizer management

Water and fertilize reasonably, especially during the flowering and fruiting period to ensure adequate supply of water and fertilizer.

8. Plant arrangement

Carry out appropriate pruning, branch thinning, flower and fruit thinning, pruning and leaf picking to promote flowering and fruiting and improve fruit quality.

9. Harvest management

Harvest mature eggplants in time to save nutrients and maintain the plant's ability to bear fruit.

In general, the key to successfully growing eggplant and producing high-quality eggplant is to understand the growth habits of eggplant and use appropriate management techniques based on its growth laws. Eggplant has certain requirements for environmental conditions such as soil, temperature, water, fertilizer, and light. At the same time, it is necessary to avoid the problem of large-scale flower and fruit drop during the flowering and fruiting period.