Valdez-Fields, F., F. Radillo-Juarez, and J. Farias-Larios.
University of Colima. Ability of Biological and Agricultural Sciences.
Post Office Box 36. Tecoman, Colima, Mexico. C.P.28100.
 E-mail: jfvaldez@mexico.com

Keywords: eggplant, Solanaceas, Solarium melongena, production, varieties

 Abstract. Eggplant is a very important crop in Mexico, due to the fact that all the production is exported and thereby generates economic benefits to the producers. The present work was conducted to evaluate the effects of several different colors of plastic mulch on the performance and yield of two varieties of eggplant. The varieties were ‘Chinese Long’ and ‘Ovigerum’ (pear type). The plastic colors were gray, white, black/silver, brown, red and black (witness), in a randomized block design with three replications. The results showed that plastic color had a significant effect on plant growth. With the black/silver and gray plastic, ‘Chinese Long’ flowered in 80 days; and with red and black/silver plastic, ‘Ovigerum’ flowered in the same number of days. Plant height for ‘Chinese Long’ was 107.6 and 103.00 cm with black/silvery and gray plastic, respectively. For ‘Ovigerum’, plant height was 110.00 and 103.00 cm with silver and brown plastic, respectively. ‘Chinese Long’ yielded 30.78 and 51.65 ton/ha with the black/silver and gray mulches, respectively; and ‘Ovigerum" yielded 50.8 and 35.97 ton/ha with black/silver and red mulch, respectively. It is concluded that the color of plastic mulch has a significant effect on plant growth and yield. The commercial use of colored plastic would have a benefit on quality and yield of fresh produce, relative to the traditional system of eggplant production.

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