Introduction

        Eggplant ( Solanum mengena) L.)is also known as aubergine ang brinjal ( English ), talong ( Tagalog), tarong (Ilocano), or bringhinas (Bisaya). It is also cultivated for the immature fruits which are either roasted,fried, stuffed, pickled, or processed. Young fruits are also eaten raw.

        Eggplant is grown in 20,907 ha ( Bureau of Agricultural and Statistics 2006) all over the country. Top producers are Ilocos, Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog.
Nutritional Value
Per 100 edible portion, the fruits contain:
        Properties                                                                                            Amount
        Water (g)                                                                                                  92.0
        Protein (g)                                                                                                1.6 
        Fat (g)                                                                                                      0.2
        Fiber (g)                                                                                                   1.0
        Carbohydrates (g)                                                                                     4.0
        Calcuim (mg)                                                                                            22.0
        Iron (mg)                                                                                                   0.9
        Vitamin B1 (mg)                                                                                        0.08
        Vitamin B2 (mg)                                                                                        0.07
        Niacin (mg)                                                                                               0.7
        Vitamin C (mg)                                                                                          6.0
         Energy Value (kj)                                                                                     100.00
  
Source: Siemonsma, J.S and Piluek, K. ( Editors). 1994. PROSEA Handbook No. 8. Vegetables. Pudoc, Wageningen. 1993/              Prosea, Bogor.

Production Management

Commercial Varieties

Black Ninja                                             Mara
Casino 901                                             Mistisa
Dumaquete                                             Long Purple
Jackpot                                                  Spitdire
Soil and Climate Requirements

Eggplant can be grown from low-to mid- elevation areas throughout the year. Highest production could be achieve during the cool, dry months. It thrives best in sandy loam soil with pH 5.5 6.5

Seedling Production

       Prepare five seedbed measuring 1 x 10 m each. Incorporate 1 kg fully decomposed chicken manure and 300 g carbonized rice hull/m2. Wet the seedbed and make shallow line 5 in a part. Sow thinly 200-250 g of seeds and cover lightly with soil. Mulch with rice hull or chopped rice straw. Provide partial shade during the dry season and rain shelter during the wet season. Water regularly. Harden seedlings one week before transplanting by decreasing the frequency of watering and by exposing fully to sunlight to minimize transpalnt shock. Transplant at four weeks after emergence.

Land Preparation

      Prepare land by flowing and harrowing twice. Make furrows 1m apart. Spread fully decomposed manure along rows at 1 kg/linear meter or 500g/hill. Apply complete fertilizer (14-14-14) at 10 -5g/hill and cover lightly with soil.

Transplanting and Maintenance

      Irrigate area before transplanting. Plant 1 seedling/hill at a distance of 0.5-1.0 m depending on variety. Provide 1 m- long stake to prevent lodging. Irrigate by furrow every 7-14 days depending on the season and the soil type. Sidedress with 46-0-0 at 10g/hill every two weeks during the vegetative stage. Use equal parts 46-0-0 and 0-060 at the start of fruiting. Weed two-three times during growing season, or as necessary. Use plastic mulch to minimize weed growth and maintain uniform soil moisture

Pest and Desease Management

      Major pests include tip borer, aphids, thrips and green leafhopper. To minimized pest incedence, avoid monocropping. Intercrop with other vegetables, cereal and legumes. Plant aromatic crops such as marigold, ginger, basil, lemon grass,, and aluims to repel insects. Grow flowering plant like sunflower, cosmos and zinnia as border rows to attract beneficial insects.
      Remove and burn fruits and shoots damage by borer. Gather and destroy eggmasses of fruit and shoot borers found on the underside of the leaves. To control green leafhoppers, grow sacrificial plants like okra around the area or used recommended pesticides. To control Phomopsis rot, mulch and prune infected leaves and fruits.

Harvesting

Harvest mature fruits which are shiny and still soft. More frequent harvest can reduce damage from fruit borers. harvest all fruits including deformed and damaged one to prevent spreads of pest and deseases. harvesting can last for 3-6 months. Several varieties can be grown for 1-2 years.

Postharvest Handling

Grade according to market standards. Pack in crates line with banana leaves. Do not expose to high temperature. Severely damage fruits can either be inckude in compost pile or used as permented plant juice. Prepare plant juice by mixing chopped active growing plants part with equal amount of molasses or brown sugar. Allow mixture to perment for 1 week. Extract the nuice and apply as foliar fertilizer at 1 tbsp/3.785 L water. Apply weekly during the fruit stage.

Cost and Return Analysis Per Hectare


                     ITEM                                                                                 AMOUNT

 VARIABLE COST
 A.   
Labor (@P22o/MD; P440/MAD)                                                       
       Plowing (5 MAD)                                                                               2,200.00 
       Harrowing (3MAD)                                                                             1,320.00   
       Furrowing (5MAD)                                                                             2,200.00
       Manure application 6(MD)                                                                  1,320.00
       Seedling production (15 MD)                                                              3,300.00
       Mulching with rice straw  (10MD)                                                        2,200.00
       Transplanting (10 MD)                                                                       2,200.00
       Fertilization:basal (2MD); sidedress (10 MD)                                       2,640.00
       Irrigation (30MD)                                                                               6,600.00
       Spraying (30MD)                                                                               6,600.00
       Weeding (20MD)                                                                               4,400.00
       Pruning (24MD)                                                                                5,280.00
       Harvesting (50 MD)                                                                          11,000.00
       Miscellaneous activities                                                                    4,400.00
       Subtotal                                                                                         55,660.00

B.   
Materials
      Seeds (f1 Hybrid) 250g/ha                                                                  2,550.00
      Animal manure (10t)                                                                          10,000.00
      Fertilizer:14-14-14 (7bags)                                                                  6,650.00
                    46-0-0 (12 bags)                                                                  12,600.00 
                    0-0-60 ( 4 bags)                                                                    3,800.00
      Pesticides                                                                                        10,000.00
      Fuel and oil                                                                                       10,000.00
      Miscellaneous                                                                                   10,000.00
      Subtotal  (A + B)                                                                              65,600.00

C. 
  Contingencies (15%)                                                                         18,189.00

GRAND TOTAL                                                                                     139,449.00
Gross Income                                                                                        300,000.00
Net Income                                                                                            160.551.00
With marketable yield of P15t/ha at a farmgate of P20/kg