BIONATURE

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different organic manures on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of brinjal (Solanum melongena L., Bhavani local variety) under field conditions. The study was laid out in a factorial randomized complete block design with eight treatments: vermicompost, press mud, goat manure, panchagavya, vermicompost + goat manure, press mud + goat manure, press mud + vermicompost, and control, each replicated thrice. Manures were applied at three growth stages after transplanting, vegetative stage, and post-flowering at treatment specific rates. Growth and yield parameters, including number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant, fruit length, and plant width, were recorded. Results indicated that the combined application of vermicompost and goat manure produced the highest vegetative and reproductive growth, as well as superior fruit yield, compared to all other treatments and the control. Sole applications of organic manures also improved performance over the control. The findings highlight the potential of integrating organic nutrient sources, particularly vermicompost and goat manure, for sustainable brinjal production while maintaining soil health and minimizing environmental impacts.