Seed quality of six eggplant cultivars as influenced by harvesting time

Seed quality is a key factor in crop production and food security, particularly during the increasing uncertainty due to climate change. In this study, the effect of harvesting time on seed quality of six eggplant cultivars (Solanum gilo: Dwomo, Kpando, Solanum melongena: GH 3870, GH 3887, Solanum macrocarpon: GH 1072, GH 4918) was assessed at the experimental site of CSIR-Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute, Bunso, Eastern Region, Ghana. The experiment was arranged in a randomised complete block design with three replications. Fruits of six eggplant cultivars were harvested at the mature (fully ripe) stage and at weekly intervals for a period of eight weeks and seeds extracted after each harvest. Seed quality of eggplant cultivars was assessed by 100-seed weight, seed vigour and germination percentage at weekly intervals. The results showed a significant difference in 100-seed weight among all the cultivars at different harvesting times. GH 1072 had the highest 100-seed weight with the lowest being in Dwomo at all harvesting times. No germination was observed at first harvest among the six cultivars. Seed vigour increased at 6, 7 and 8 weeks after maturity in all the cultivars. The highest vigour and germination percentage were observed in GH 1072 followed by GH 3870. The results obtained indicates that seed quality of eggplant cultivars increases with harvesting time and vary within and among eggplant species.