Fruit-setting behaviour in relation to floral morphology of eggplant {solanum meiongena L.)

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.