Evaluation of foliar application of micronutrient and growth of different varieties of Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Evaluation of foliar application of micronutrient and growth of different varieties of Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)” was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024–2025 at the Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, AKS University, Satna (M.P.). The study aimed to assess the impact of varying concentrations of foliar-applied Zinc (0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5%, and 0.6%) on the growth performance of three brinjal varieties: Green Long, Pusa Purple Round, and Pusa Purple Long. The experiment followed a Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with 12 treatment combinations and three replications. Results indicated that both the foliar zinc application levels and varietal differences significantly influenced plant height, number of leaves, branches per plant, flowering behavior. Among the treatments, foliar application of 0.6% zinc combined with the Pusa Purple Round variety (O4 V2) consistently recorded the highest values for growth parameters. The study concludes that foliar zinc at 0.6% significantly enhances growth of brinjal, particularly in the Pusa Purple Round variety.