Family: Solanaceae
Common name: Eggplant, Aubergine, Brinjal, Mad apple, Raging apple, Baingan, Vazhuthana
Eggplants, like potatoes are a favorite across the world, used in all cuisines, be it in Asia, Africa, Europe, or the Americas. There are different varieties of eggplants, ranging in sizes and colors from white to green to purple to deep purple.
Plant Characteristics
The plants grow in height from 80-120 cm with broad leaves that are entire or lobed. These leaves are 10-20 cm long, and hairy to protect the fruits, and also to prevent excessive loss of water. The stem is soft, green, woody at the base, sometimes thorny, and often covered with fine hair.
Flowers are white or light violet in color, and exceptionally beautiful with 5 distinct petals and a yellow column of stamens. Flowers have both male and female parts, and hence can self-pollinate or cross-pollinate.
Brinjal flowers are beautifully star-shaped with a column of yellow stamens at the center. They are mostly solitary, sometimes produced in small clusters of 2-3.
Pollination is done by bees, insects, and ants that are attracted to the flowers. The flowers then form fruits that vary widely in size, shape, and color depending on the species.
The commonly seen colors are purple, lavender, green, white, and a range of shades in between. There is a pure white variant that looks very similar to eggs, and that’s where the plant got its name.
Skin of the Brinjal is smooth and glossy. The fruit has a creamy white, spongy interior that can absorb flavors very well, and small edible seeds are arranged throughout the flesh.
Gardening Tips
Brinjal plants are sun-loving, warm-season crops that grow well in tropical weather with high humidity. They prefer well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
Since Brinjal plant completes its lifecycle of growing, flowering, and fruiting in 2-4 months, it needs good care. Water the plants regularly, and fertilize once every 2-3 weeks.
Pest attacks should be addressed immediately with neem oil or organic pesticides. There is usually no need to prune the plant since it grows bushy and rounded.
Once Brinjal starts producing fruit, it can be harvested every 3-4 days, depending on the variety.
There are 3 main varieties – common aubergines, dwarf aubergines, and snake aubergines. There are also hundreds of cultivars like Black beauty, Dusky, Classic, Little fingers, Ichiban, Easter eggs, Prosperosa, and many more.
Brinjal plants are closely related to Tomatoes or Solanum lycopersicum, Potatoes or Solanum tuberosum, Turkey berry or Solanum torvum
Uses of Brinjal
All these varieties are used extensively in cuisines all over the world; fried, baked, boiled, mashed, stewed, curried, or pickled. Stuffed eggplants are also a hot favorite in Indian cuisine.
Brinjal helps in weight management, blood sugar regulation, improves immunity, and is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Parts of the plant are used in the treatment of hypertension, burns, sores, abcesses, haemorrhoids, toothpain, and even mushroom poisoning.
Leaves and flowers of the plant are toxic and should not be consumed by humans or pets.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds and stem cuttings.
Since seed propagation is very efficient and fast, that is the most commonly used methods. Seeds collected from ripe fruits can be dried, and then planted in moist soil to germinte in 1-2 weeks.
Photographed at: Koonammavu, Kerala; GKVK University of Agriculture, Bangalore
