Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth parameters of grafted brinjal cv. VNR 212 Grafted onto (Solanum torvum)

Introduction

Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.), popularly known as eggplant or aubergine, is an important vegetable crop belonging to the family Solanaceae with a chromosome number of 2n = 24. It is believed to have originated in the Indo-Burma region and has been cultivated in India since ancient times. Brinjal is widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions of the world and is valued for its nutritional importance as a rich source of vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre, and antioxidants. In India, brinjal is known by different regional names, including Baingan (Hindi), Vange (Marathi), Venkaya (Telugu), Kathiri (Tamil), Ringna (Gujarati), and Vazhuthana (Malayalam) (Patel and Sarnaik, 2003; Pramila et al., 2015) [5,7] . Brinjal can be grown in a range of soils; however, deep, fertile, and well-drained soils are preferred. Brinjal grows well in slightly acidic soils with pH levels ranging from 5.5 to 6.5, and even up to pH 7.5. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh are the primary brinjal-growing states in India. Madhya Pradesh ranks 4th in India for brinjal production, cultivating an estimated 0.67 lakh hectares (67,000 hectares) of land to produce approximately 14.33 lakh tonnes (1.43 million metric tonnes) of brinjal annually, with an average crop productivity of 21.38 tonnes per hectare. Agriculture is the economic backbone of Madhya Pradesh, which currently ranks fourth nationally in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) production. According to recent horticultural data, the state dedicates approximately 67,000 hectares to this crop, generating an annual output of 14.33 lakh tonnes and contributing over 9% to India's total production. While the state's average productivity (21.38 t ha⁻¹) slightly exceeds the national average (18-19 t ha⁻¹), it remains well below its true genetic potential. This yield gap is primarily driven by improper nutrient management, devastating soil-borne diseases like bacterial and Fusarium wilt, and escalating abiotic stresses. To enhance productivity on shrinking cultivable land, adopting modern advanced cultivation practices-specifically vegetable grafting combined with Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)-is essential. Vegetable grafting has emerged as a highly effective approach to combat biotic and abiotic constraints (Lee and Oda, 2003) [4] . By uniting a high-yielding scion with a resilient rootstock, grafting enhances plant vigour, extends harvest duration, and provides resistance to soil-borne pathogens. In this study, VNR-212-a popular commercial F₁ hybrid known for early flowering, uniform fruits, and high yield potential-was selected as the scion. It is grafted onto Solanum torvum Swartz (Turkey berry), a highly vigorous, wild rootstock that exhibits strong resistance to bacterial wilt, nematodes, and moisture stress while enhancing nutrient uptake through its extensive root system. However, maximizing the potential of this high-vigour, extendedfruiting grafted composite requires adequate nutrient supply. Based on previous studies, grafted VNR-212 performed better with a recommended fertilizer dose of 180:70:70 kg N:P₂O₅: K₂O ha⁻¹. (RDF) (Pradhan et al., 2022) [6] . Relying solely on continuous, high-dose chemical fertilizers degrades soil structure and microbial life (Erisman et al., 2008) [2] , while relying entirely on organic manures fails to meet the immediate crop demand. Therefore, an INM framework that strategically combines mineral fertilizers with organic sources is necessary to synchronize nutrient release with crop uptake. Organic amendments play a distinct, complementary role in this framework. Vermicompost delivers readily available macronutrients while improving soil aeration and water retention (Edwards and Burrows, 1988) [1] . Neem cake provides essential nutrients and serves as a natural nitrification inhibitor and nematode suppressant. Poultry manure, possessing a narrow C:N ratio, acts as a highly concentrated and rapidly available nutrient source. While the individual benefits of grafting and fertilization are wellknown, limited research exists on how the VNR-212 hybrid grafted on Solanum torvum responds to combined organic and inorganic matrices under the unique agro-climatic conditions of Madhya Pradesh. This investigation addresses this research gap to optimize yields, maintain soil health, and maximize net returns for farmers.

Materials and Methods

The experiment was carried out in the field of Department of Horticulture, School of Agricultural Sciences, G.H. Raisoni University, Saikheda, Pandhurna, Madhya Pradesh during kharif 2025. The experimental site at Saikheda is geographically situated between 21°57′ to 22°57′ N latitude and 78°35′ to 78°58′ E longitude, at an approximate elevation of 340 to 450 meters above the mean sea level (MSL). The region features a typical subtropical climate, characterized by hot, dry summers (April-June) and pleasant, relatively dry, cool winters (November-February). The area experiences a sub-humid to semi-arid climate transition with an average annual rainfall ranging between 1020 mm and 1130 mm, with more than 85% of the precipitation received exclusively through the South-West monsoon stretching from June to September. The soil profile characterizing the experimental site is predominantly classified as medium to deep black cotton soil (Vertisols) mixed with clayey or silty loam, which exhibits neutral to slightly alkaline reaction alongside high water-holding capacities. The experiment was carried out in statistical Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 14 treatments and three replications. Variety used Hybrid VNR 212(scion) + Solanum torvum (rootstock) with a spacing of 90 cm X 60 cm and RDF followed 180:70:70 (kg ha -1 ) of NPK. Half dose of nitrogen and recommended dose of phosphorus and potassium was applied at the time of transplanting and half dose of nitrogen was applied at 30 days after transplanting and organic manures like Vermicompost, Neem cake, Poultry manure were applied. Observation on growth parameters like plant height (cm), no. of primary branches, no of leaves were recorded at 45 and 90 DAT interval. Yield attributes like number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant (kg/plant), fruit yield per plot (kg/plot) and fruit yield per hectare (t/ha) were recorded from five selected plants in the plot area at each picking time and average was workout. Fruits were harvested at fruit maturity and yield obtained after each harvesting. [3] . [9] , who observed improved vegetative growth under integrated nutrient management owing to balanced nutrient availability. [6] , who evaluated the identical scion-rootstock composite (VNR-212 grafted on Solanum torvum) and noted that optimized, high-tier nutrient delivery frameworks drastically trigger earliness parameters.

Number of Primary branches

Number of Leaf per plant

Conclusion

The present investigation demonstrated that integrated nutrient management significantly influenced the growth, and flowering characteristics of grafted brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) hybrid VNR-212 grafted onto Solanum torvum. Among the different nutrient combinations, treatment T₁₀ (75% RDN through inorganic fertilizer + 25% RDN through poultry manure) consistently recorded superior performance with respect to plant height, number of primary branches, number of leaves, earlier flowering, earlier fruit initiation, and maximum number of fruits per plant. The improved performance under this treatment may be attributed to the balanced and continuous supply of nutrients, enhanced nutrient uptake through the vigorous root system of Solanum torvum, and the beneficial effects of poultry manure on soil fertility and microbial activity. The findings indicate that partial substitution of inorganic fertilizers with poultry manure is an effective nutrient management strategy for improving the vegetative growth and reproductive performance of grafted brinjal. Therefore, the application of 75% RDN through inorganic fertilizer combined with 25% RDN through poultry manure can be recommended as a suitable integrated nutrient management practice for achieving better growth and fruiting in grafted brinjal under the agro-climatic conditions of Madhya Prade.

References

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