Tropical and subtropical vegetables (2+1)

Preparation of land

• Soil is prepared to fine tilth by giving 4-5 ploughings. Well rotten organic manure (25t/ha) is incorporated into the soil well before the final preparation.

Spacing and transplanting
The planting distance depends on the fertility status of the soil, growing season and cultivar. Usually, the spacing for the bushy, non spreading type should be 50 to 60 cm in both ways and for spreading cultivars row to row distance should be 75 to 90 cm and that for plant to plant 60 to 70 cm either in flat beds or ridges. Three spacing’s are generally recommended i.e. 60×45, 75×60cm and 75×75 cm depending upon the size and spread of the plant besides duration of bearing period.
Highly vigorous bushy and late bearing cultivars are given, wider spacing as compared to dwarf upright and early types. Stocky, healthy seedlings which are free of disease and shoot and fruit borer infestation and have attained a height of 10-12cm with 3-4 leaves are to be selected and transplanted. A light irrigation should be given immediately after transplanting.

Nutrition
It is a heavy feeder of nutrients and requires more nutrients for better yield and quality. It removes 0.29, 0.08 and 0.50 Kg NPK for every 100 Kg fruit yield. As already mentioned 25 tonnes of FYM should be added 25 to 30 days before transplanting. NPK application is done in the form of inorganic fertilizers. Apply 25% of nitrogen as in the form of top dressing 6 weeks after transplanting and the remaining 25% N should be added in to soil 10 weeks after transplanting.
Table 1. Recommendations of NPK levels in some states of India

State	NPK (kg)
Andra pradesh	100-60-60
Madhya pradesh	100-60-25
Orrissa	125-80-110
Punjab	125-62-30
Karnataka1	125-10-50
Tamil Nadu	100-50-30
Uttar pradesh	100-50-50
West Bengal	120-50-50

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Micronutrients
The deficiency of micronutrients in brinjal has not been noticed in field. But some workers have studied the effect of their application. The application of minor elements had no effect on vegetative growth of the plant. However, Cu increased the number of flowers and fruits, Zn improved the weight of fruits and Mn showed similar but less pronounced effect on flowering and fruiting.

Irrigation
It requires several irrigation for successful cultivation. Timely irrigation is essential for fruit set and its development. Usually the crop is irrigated weekly once for higher yield. Proper drainage facilities should be provided in rainy season to remove excess of water from the field. Drip irrigation is beneficial for decreasing water use and weed control.

Weed control
It is essential to keep weeds under control from the initial growth itself. Shallow inter cultivation is given to remove the weeds. Three to four hoeings are normally followed for effective control of weeds, proper aeration and good growth of the plants. Orabanche is one of the serious weed affecting solanaceous crops in some areas. It is a root parasite and should be controlled effectively. A pre-planting treatment of 1.0 kg ai/ha of fluchloralin followed by one hand weeding at 30 days after transplanting is effective.

Mulching
The most beneficial effect of mulching is that it conserves soil moisture and controls weeds. Mulching in brinjal crop with black polyethylene film reduces weed growth, accelerates crop growth, induces early bearing and increases yield.

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