ISHS Acta Horticulturae 412: I International Symposium on Solanacea for Fresh Market
ANALYSIS OF QUALITY PARAMETERS IN EGGPLANT GROWN UNDER SALINE WATER IRRIGATION |
| Authors: | M.I. Sifola, S. De Pascale, R. Romano |
| Keywords: | Solanum melongena L., water salinity, fruit quality, ion concentration, mesocarp firmness |
| Abstract:
In 1993 the effects of increasing water salinity (0%, 0.125%, 0.25%, 0.5% and 1% commercial NaCL) and three irrigation frequencies (irrigation applied every 2, 5 and 10 days) on the quality of eggplant fruit were studied. The 1% salt concentration reduced the weight of marketable fruit (142 g vs. 165 g in the control). Irrigation with saline water resulted in round-shaped fruit due to a reduction in fruit length as compared to the control (11.7 cm vs. 14.6 cm). An increase in mesocarp firmness was induced by salinity (26.0 N in the 1% treatment vs. 24.7 in the control) which was associated to reduced water content in fruits of plants irrigated with 1% salt as compared to those from the control. Mesocarp firmness and dry matter content increased as the irrigation frequencies decreased. Titratable acidity, reducing sugars and mineral ash increased with salinity, while pH, total polyphenols and ascorbic acid contents were reduced by saline water irrigation. Changes in mineral composition of eggplant fruit occurred in accordance with increased salinity. Irrigation with 1% salt concentration gave the highest Na+ and Cl- content in the fruit. | |
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