Effects of Plant Spacing on the Growth and Yield of American Egg Plant (Solaniun macrocarpon) in the Northern Guinea Savannah of Nigeria

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted to determine the effect of planting spacing on the growth and yield African eggplant (Solaniun macrocarpon) in Institute of Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University(IAR/ABU) Teaching and Research farm Zaria, Kaduna State in 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons. The experiment consists of five treatments (planting spacing 80 x 20cm, 80 x 50 cm, 100 x 50 cm 100 x 60 cm and 120 x 70 cm inter and intra row spacing respectively, replicated four times laid out in randomised complete block design. Data were collected on both growth and yield parameters. Data were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedure. Results showed that close row spacing of 80cm x 20 cm significantly reduced number of (leaves, branches per plant and gave taller plant. Plant spacing of 100cmx 60 cm gave higher growth parameters (leaves, branches, dry matter biomass and their growth rate and fruit yield per plant) fruit yield per hectare was however, higher in narrow inter and intra rows of 80 cm x 50 cm. Based on the findings of this study, eggplant should be cultivated at a spacing of 100 cm x 80 cm (inter and intra row spacing for optimum growth and fruits yield in Zaria location of Northern Nigeria.