How to prevent excessive growth in round eggplant? Comprehensive measures are key

Currently, because greenhouses begin closing up at night to retain heat, nighttime temperatures often become too high, causing severe excessive growth of round eggplant in greenhouses. To prevent round eggplant from growing too vigorously and failing to set fruit, the reporter found that vegetable growers commonly adopt the method of controlling water. But in production, relying solely on water control makes it hard to achieve the desired effect, and excessive water control has many drawbacks, such as poor flower bud differentiation and many deformed fruits. The author believes that there are many factors causing vigorous plant growth, so controlling vigorous growth should also adopt comprehensive measures rather than blindly over-controlling water.

Temperature controls the plant. The suitable temperature for round eggplant growth is 25-28°C during the day and 15-18°C at night. For plants growing too vigorously, the temperature can be kept relatively lower. On clear days, ventilate promptly and keep the greenhouse temperature no higher than 28°C. Lowering nighttime temperature is the key to suppressing vigorous growth, especially the temperature in the latter half of the night. The temperature in the first half of the night can be kept at 18-20°C, which helps the export of leaf photosynthetic products; the temperature in the latter half of the night should preferably be 12-15°C.

Water controls the plant. Although excessive water control is not good, moderate water control is one of the good ways to control the plant. In greenhouses where vigorous growth occurs, avoid flood irrigation; water every other row, and only water the planting row. Water lightly; generally, watering half a furrow at a time is enough. After watering, hoe frequently.

Fruit controls the plant. Plants growing too vigorously should keep the first fruit and retain as many fruits as possible to regulate excessive vegetative growth. The first fruit should not be removed early; it should be removed after it reaches egg size and the third fruit has been pollinated. If the plant is still growing very vigorously at this time, the first fruit may temporarily be left on the plant, and the first fruit should be twisted clockwise, then removed when the opposite fruit rapidly expands.

Chemicals control the plant. There are many plant growth regulators for controlling vigorous plant growth, such as chlormequat, mepiquat chloride, paclobutrazol, etc. However, because the use concentrations of chlormequat and paclobutrazol are difficult to master, vegetable growers are advised to use mepiquat chloride or a higher concentration of Aiduoshou for regulation. Generally, the use concentration of mepiquat chloride is 750 times, and Aiduoshou at 2000 times is sufficient.