How to prune and rejuvenate mountain eggplant to increase yield?
Clever pruning and rejuvenation of mountain eggplant for higher yield
Eggplant is a warm-loving crop and relatively tolerant of high temperatures; the suitable temperature during the fruiting period is 25-30°C. By taking advantage of the eggplant's strong regenerative ability and rapid return to fruiting, the mountain eggplant pruning and rejuvenation technique is implemented during the high-temperature, high-humidity summer and autumn period when pests and diseases occur frequently. When late summer and early autumn arrive, the eggplant rapidly resumes growth and development, effectively increasing yield and quality, and also extending the growing period, avoiding the peak marketing period for mountain eggplant. This makes it possible to market the product in batches during the summer-autumn off-season, achieving good economic and social benefits. The average yield of mountain eggplant reaches more than 6,000 kg per mu, with an output value as high as 15,000 yuan.
I. Training and leaf removal
Use two-stem training. After the first fruit (the fruit on the main stem of the eggplant) has set firmly, remove the lower axillary buds. After the second fruit (the fruit on the primary lateral branch) has flowered, remove the lower axillary buds separately, keeping only two upward-growing main branches. After the plants close the rows, promptly remove old leaves, diseased leaves, and yellow leaves on the branches. After the 8th-9th fruit has set, promptly pinch off the growing tips, and at the same time clean up branches and leaves to facilitate ventilation and light penetration, reduce the spread of pests and diseases, concentrate nutrients, and promote fast coloring and early ripening of the fruit.
II. Pruning treatment
Prune during the middle and late stages of fruit growth of the third fruit cluster (the fruit on the primary lateral branch), and time it for when the weather enters the first fu period. Choose a sunny day before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., or a cloudy day, and cut the tips of the primary and secondary lateral branches while leaving 3-5 cm. If conditions permit, seal the cut surfaces with wax, and at the same time sweep up the branches and leaves on the ground and burn them in a centralized manner. Immediately after pruning, irrigate with half-furrow water, irrigating at night and draining during the day, to keep the eggplant field moist.
III. Post-pruning management
In pruned plants, the axillary buds germinate and begin to grow on the 2nd-3rd day. Promptly spray 2-3 times with 50% carbendazim wettable powder at 500 times dilution, or 77% Kocide (copper hydroxide) wettable powder at 1,500 times dilution, to control leaf diseases on the new shoots, and at the same time pay attention to controlling aphids. Because pruning stimulation often causes excessive axillary bud germination, 5-7 days after pruning, when the new shoots have grown to about 10 cm, promptly remove the excess axillary buds, keeping only 1-2 new shoots on each lateral branch. After that, switch to routine management. Eggplant can be harvested 35-40 days after transplanting, or 25 days after pruning. The suitable harvest time is when the white or light green ring band at the eye of the eggplant is not obvious, the fruit shows the variety's inherent color, and it feels soft and sticky to the touch. The early yield per mu can reach 2,900 kg, the later yield can reach 3,200 kg, and the total yield is more than 6,000 kg. Fruit should preferably be harvested in the morning, when the eggplant is fullest and has the brightest luster. Before shipping to market, it should be graded and packaged, with high quality bringing a high price.
I. Training and leaf removal
Use two-stem training. After the first fruit (the fruit on the main stem of the eggplant) has set firmly, remove the lower axillary buds. After the second fruit (the fruit on the primary lateral branch) has flowered, remove the lower axillary buds separately, keeping only two upward-growing main branches. After the plants close the rows, promptly remove old leaves, diseased leaves, and yellow leaves on the branches. After the 8th-9th fruit has set, promptly pinch off the growing tips, and at the same time clean up branches and leaves to facilitate ventilation and light penetration, reduce the spread of pests and diseases, concentrate nutrients, and promote fast coloring and early ripening of the fruit.
II. Pruning treatment
Prune during the middle and late stages of fruit growth of the third fruit cluster (the fruit on the primary lateral branch), and time it for when the weather enters the first fu period. Choose a sunny day before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., or a cloudy day, and cut the tips of the primary and secondary lateral branches while leaving 3-5 cm. If conditions permit, seal the cut surfaces with wax, and at the same time sweep up the branches and leaves on the ground and burn them in a centralized manner. Immediately after pruning, irrigate with half-furrow water, irrigating at night and draining during the day, to keep the eggplant field moist.
III. Post-pruning management
In pruned plants, the axillary buds germinate and begin to grow on the 2nd-3rd day. Promptly spray 2-3 times with 50% carbendazim wettable powder at 500 times dilution, or 77% Kocide (copper hydroxide) wettable powder at 1,500 times dilution, to control leaf diseases on the new shoots, and at the same time pay attention to controlling aphids. Because pruning stimulation often causes excessive axillary bud germination, 5-7 days after pruning, when the new shoots have grown to about 10 cm, promptly remove the excess axillary buds, keeping only 1-2 new shoots on each lateral branch. After that, switch to routine management. Eggplant can be harvested 35-40 days after transplanting, or 25 days after pruning. The suitable harvest time is when the white or light green ring band at the eye of the eggplant is not obvious, the fruit shows the variety's inherent color, and it feels soft and sticky to the touch. The early yield per mu can reach 2,900 kg, the later yield can reach 3,200 kg, and the total yield is more than 6,000 kg. Fruit should preferably be harvested in the morning, when the eggplant is fullest and has the brightest luster. Before shipping to market, it should be graded and packaged, with high quality bringing a high price.