Abstract:
Floral morphology of eggplants in 56 accessions was examined to study fruit setting behaviour. While most
accessions (803%) produced both single flowers and inflorescences on the same plant, there were
accessions with inflorescence only (16.0%) and single flowers only (3.6%). Flower number per
inflorescence varied within individual plants as well as between accessions. Though the basic type of
inflorescence appeared as scorpioid cyme, the first flower was always different, being larger and in a
separate position with a strong pedicel. The remainder was attached to a single peduncle, forming a cluster.
Only the first flower of inflorescence set fruit in all accessions, except in accession 02270. The stigma of first
flower was well developed and its position in relation to anther tips, varied between accessions, i.e. above
(58.9%), on the same level (25.0%) or both same level and below (16.1 %) anther tips. However, first flowers
with stigmas that were below anther tips and cluster flowers were aborted. Cluster flowers had very
rudimentary stigmas, which were below anther tips in a concealed position. Only the accession 02270
produced fruits in cluster flowers which had stigmas above anther tips. Results showed a close relationship
between fruit setting and stigma position in eggplant.
