Effect of substrates and soil preparation modalities on the behavior and yield of chinese eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Abstract

The production of vegetables in the greenhouse is carried out in artificial beds and soil. Eggplant is attacked by thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis), mites (Polyphagotarsonemus latus, Tetranychus urticae) and leafminers (Liriomyza spp.), in the province of La Vega, in addition, poor soil preparation and fertilization affect development and crop yields. On the other hand, in greenhouses there is very little experience in the management of soils, substrates and application of amendments in production, resulting in a topic of interest for oriental vegetable producers. The objective was to determine the effect of different substrates and soil preparation modalities on the behavior and yield of Solannum melongena L. in the greenhouse. The objective was to determine the effect of different substrates and soil preparation modalities on the behavior and yield of Solannum melongena L. in the greenhouse. Four substrates and four soil preparation modalities were used. A completely randomized design with eight treatments and five replications was used. Plant height, stem thickness, number of guides, fresh-dry weight of foliage-root and yields were evaluated. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and comparison of means (p<0.01) and contrast test (p≤0.05) and analysis by InfoStat (2008) were performed. The results indicate that there is a significant difference in plant height when the soil planting system (162 cm) is compared to the bed system (148 cm), in stem thickness there was a significant difference between treatments, being 0.65 cm higher in I usually. There were no significant differences between treatments for the variables number of branches and dry weight of stems, but there were for the dry weight of leaves and roots. The highest yields were obtained in the DE + 20 t of chicken manure treatment with 8,950 kg ha-1 at seven cuts, however, there were no statistical differences with the conventional soil (SC). It is suggested that the results obtained be used as a reference for future studies of the effect of substrates and crop systems on the behavior and productivity of vegetable species managed under a protected environment. Double digging is an alternative to improve physical properties and soil fertility when it is incorporated into a dose of 20 t of chicken manure; however, when the soil receives hyperfertilization in cycles prior to planting, it maintains certain levels of fertility, which could explain the high yields obtained. In both systems the yields are appropriate and with a high projection of production.