Round Eggplant Variety Trial, 1999-2000 Final Report Hector R. Valenzuela, Ted Goo, and Roger Corrales University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources January 2002 Summary A round and specialty eggplant variety trial was conducted at the UH Waimanalo Experiment Station. 31 varieties were grown for about 2 years, and harvested twice weekly for about 17 months, to evaluate their growth, yields, and fruit quality. Results are presented for 3-, 8-, and 17- month-yields to provide an indication of potential short-term and long-term yields for the varieties evaluated. Higher long-term yields may be an indication of the variety’s adaptability to grow at low-elevation conditions in Hawaii. Standard varieties grown in Hawaii, and used as reference varieties for this trial included Black Bell & Classic (oval types), and Waimanalo Long and Nitta x Waimanalo (standard Japanese long-types). After looking at the results and variety descriptions, some growers may chose to try growing some of the varieties that didn’t yield as well, but that have quality characteristics (color, shape, taste) sought after by specialty niche markets. Index Introduction pg. 1 Best yielding varieties pg. 2 Index of Tables pg. 3 Tables 1-11 pg. 4-16 Variety Descriptions pg. 17 Seed Companies pg. 19 Introduction Seeds of 31 varieties were sown on 9 March on 72-cell Speedling trays at the Magoon Greenhouse in Manoa. The seedlings were transplanted in the field on 30 April. Plant spacing was 6 ft between rows and 3 feet between plants. Each plot consisted of 7 plants for a total length of 18 feet per plot. Only one replication was used per variety. For this reason, this study is considered only a demonstration of available varieties in the market, and the results are thus far from conclusive. As such, any varieties that may look promising from this trial, should first be grown on a small-scale to evaluate adapt- ability to the particular environmental conditions found on your farm. Cultural practices were followed as is standard for commercial eggplant produc- tion in Hawaii. The crop was drip irrigated as needed and 3-ft weed mats were placed between the rows to reduce weed competition. Prior to planting 1 bag of chicken ma- nure (80 lbs.) and 20 lbs. of bone meal were applied per 100 ft of row. Because the soils on these plots are very fertile and high in P & K, no additional fertilizer was applied until the early fruiting stages. Only supplemental applications of calcium nitrate were applied thereon once per month. The plants were pruned, and staked with single 4 ft- bars, to maintain a strong plant structure, and to promote new growth flushes.