Brinjal (Solanum melongena)
- Botanical Name: Solanum melongena
- Family: Solanaceae
- Origin: Indo-Burma
- Chromosome Number: 2n = 24
- Fruit Type: Berry
- Photosynthetic Pathway: C3
- India’s Rank: 2nd in world production (after China)
- Major States: West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Maharashtra, UP
- Used As: Vegetable and in ayurvedic medicine
Botanical & Physiological Features
- Pollination: Self-pollinated but heterostyly is common
- Flower Opening Time: Summer: 6:00–7:30 AM. Winter: ~11:15 AM
- Fruit Setting: Maximum in long-styled flowers (70–80%)
- No fruit set in short or pseudo short-styled flowers
- White brinjal: Preferred for diabetic patients
- Purple brinjal: Higher in Vitamin-C
- Vitamin Content: Good source of Vitamin B
- Anthocyanin pigment: Responsible for purple color
- Goitrogenic compound: Present in dry fruit
Cultivation Practices
- Soil: Well-drained loamy soil, rich in organic matter
- pH: 6.0–6.8
- Season: Summer, Kharif, and Rabi
- Seed Rate: Normal: 400–500 g/ha. Hybrid: 100–150 g/ha
- Spacing: 60 × 45 cm
- Weed Control: 2,4-D or pre-emergence herbicide
- Major Weed: Orobanche spp. – parasitic weed in Solanaceae crops
- Yield Enhanced By: Foliar spray of KNO₃ @ 2000 ppm, Boron & ZnSO₄ @ 500 ppm, Application of Cu increases fruit set
- Frost Susceptibility: Brinjal is highly susceptible to frost
- % Area under Hybrids: 14%
Major Insect & Disease Pests
- Little Leaf Disease; Cause: Phytoplasma, Vector: Jassids. Resistant Varieties: Arka Sheel, Manjarigota
- Bacterial Wilt Cause: Ralstonia solanacearum. Resistant Varieties: Pusa Anupam, Arka Nidhi, Neelkantha
- Phomopsis Blight. Cause: Phomopsis vexans. Resistant Varieties: Pusa Bhairav. Pusa Anupam. Florida Market. Shiva. Arka Keshav. Pant Rituraj
- Combined Resistance (Phomopsis + Wilt): Pant Samrat
- Aphid Resistance: Annamalai
Important Varieties
Selections; Pusa Purple Long (Extra early) Pant Samrat. Arka Shirish (Green type). Arka Sheel. Punjab Neelum. Azad Kranti
Hybrids
Variety | Parentage / Special Feature |
Pusa Kranti | PPL × Hyderpur × Wynad local (Long) |
Pant Rituraj | T-3 × PPC (Round) |
Pusa Anupam | Pusa Kranti × PPC (Long, Wilt & Blight Resistant) |
Punjab Barsati | PPC × H-4 |
Pusa Bindu | GR × Rituraj |
Hissar Shyamal | – |
Hissar Jamuni | – |
Pusa Uttam | GR × Rituraj |
Pusa Upkar | – |
- Public Sector Hybrids; Pusa Anmol. Arka Navneet (Round type, Highest Yield). Vijay.Azad
- Private Sector Hybrids; Vardan. Vaishali (Bicolour)
Special Varieties
- Arka Anand – Suitable for long transport
- Pusa Ankur – New release
- Vaishali – Bi-color
- Manjarigota – Little leaf resistant
- Arka Navneet – Round, high yield
Yield
Type | Yield |
Open Varieties | 25–35 t/ha |
Hybrids | 60–80 t/ha |
Physiological & Nutritional Disorders
Disorder | Cause |
No Fruit Set | Short/Pseudo-short styled flowers |
Goitrogenic Dry Fruit | Affects thyroid function |
Frost Injury | Sensitive – avoid in cold regions |
Revision Tips
- Brinjal is Indo-Burma origin, C3 plant
- Heterostyly and anthocyanin present
- White Brinjal: for diabetic patients
- Max Fruit Set: Long-styled flowers
- Major diseases: Bacterial Wilt, Phomopsis Blight, Little Leaf
- Best hybrid for transport: Arka Anand
- Hybrid coverage in India: 14%
- Weed: Orobanche is serious parasite
