Propagation
Propagation is from seed.Planting Method
Brinjal planting is sometimes done by direct sowing of seed, but most producers transplant seedlings that have been reared in seed trays to about 10 to 15 centimetres.
Planting is done by both hand and by mechanical planters. In well drained sandy soils, brinjal planting, is done straight onto the land, and in areas where drainage is a problem farmers plant onto raised soil beds.
To combat weeds, conserve moisture in the soil and to create a warmer soil environment farmers use black plastic mulching.
Spacing
Brinjal plants are normally spaced 50 centimetres apart in rows that are 75 centimetres apart. They also skip the odd rows to create roads or paths for implements and workers to be able to move between the rows This is approximately 25 000 plants per hectare.Sowing Time
Brinjal seeds are sown between late August as temperatures start to rise and October. Seeds can be planted in greenhouses from July for the making of seedlings for planting from late August.Planting Time
Plant brinjal seedlings from August to December. Later plantings can be done in warmer regions that do not experience early Autumn cold spells.Growth Period
Brinjal can be cropped as early as ten weeks from planting in optimum climatic conditions where soil temperatures have been optimal. Regular and continuous cropping proceeds from 12 weeks and can continue to 20 weeks from planting.
Some growers that have late winters or in more tropical climates may cut back the plants after this and get a second crop in the Autumn.
Fertilization
When planting seedlings disc plough between 500 and 1000 kilograms of 2:3:4 (30) (a mixture of Nitrogen, Phosphates and Potassium) per hectare into the top 20 centimetres of the soil just before planting.
The actual amount will depend on the results of your soil samples. About five to six weeks after planting an additional application of nitrogen in the form of about 250 to 400 LAN should be given. This should take the plant and your crop through to harvest.
This second application can be split into two at five and eight weeks from planting.
If Liquid fertilizer is used which is normally the practice with drip lines under plastic mulching then this is applied at between four and five kilograms of nitrogen per week through the water. It is advisable to get advice from your local extension officer for your farm's exact requirements.
Irrigation
It is always best to have moisture sensors in the soil throughout the planted area to continually monitor soil moisture stress levels. A soil auger can also be used to manually check soil moisture levels.
Stress during flower and set of fruit is detrimental to crop development. A good average for irrigation is between 20 and 35 mm of water per week. During very warm weather and low relative humidity irrigation can go over 40 mm per week.
Moisture stress in the top 50 cm of soil, where most of the water and nutrient absorbing roots are concentrated, must be avoided.
By Louise Brodie