Crop details

Eggplant (biringanya)

Solanum melongena

Family: Solanaceae

Quick stats

Family	Solanaceae
Typical harvest	22.5 t/ha
Varieties	3
Pests & diseases	6
Seasons	3

Crop profile

Growth habit	annual
Days to harvest	110
Main uses	Fruits cooked in stews, fried, grilled or mixed with other vegetables; also sold fresh in local markets.
Pollination	self
Origin / where it grows	Eggplant (biringanya) is grown in warm and medium-altitude areas of East Africa, especially around towns and irrigation schemes.

Weather, soil & spacing

Best temperature	20–30 °C
Rainfall	700–1000 mm/yr
Altitude	0–2000 m
Best pH	6–6.8
Soil type	Deep, well-drained loam or sandy loam rich in organic matter so Eggplant (biringanya) can develop a strong root system.
Row spacing	75 cm
Plant spacing	50 cm
Planting depth	2 cm
Seed rate	0.5 kg/ha
Nursery days	35

Simple notes for farmers

About the crop: This crop is annual. You plant, grow and harvest it in one main season, then plant again. You can normally start harvesting about 110 days after planting, depending on care and variety.

Main use: Farmers mostly grow this crop for fruits cooked in stews, fried, grilled or mixed with other vegetables; also sold fresh in local markets..

Pollination: This crop is mainly pollinated by self. Keeping flowers healthy and having insects like bees in the field helps improve fruit set and yields.

Where it grows: Eggplant (biringanya) is grown in warm and medium-altitude areas of East Africa, especially around towns and irrigation schemes. It is grouped under: Vegetables.

Best climate: This crop does well in warm areas where the temperature is usually between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius. It prefers places that receive around 700 to 1000 millimetres of rain in a year. It can grow from near sea level up to about 2000 metres above sea level.

Soil: The crop grows best in slightly acidic to near neutral soils, with a pH of about 6 to 6.8. It does well in deep, well-drained loam or sandy loam rich in organic matter so eggplant (biringanya) can develop a strong root system.. Good drainage is important, so avoid waterlogged spots.

Plant spacing: Plant in rows about 75 centimetres apart, and leave about 50 centimetres between plants in the row. This gives each plant enough space for roots and canopy to spread.

Planting depth: Dig planting holes or furrows about 2 centimetres deep so the roots sit firmly in the soil but are not buried too deep.

Seed or planting material: Use around 0.5 kilograms of seed or planting material per hectare. Spread or plant evenly so the field has a good stand without being overcrowded.

Nursery period: If you raise seedlings in a nursery, keep them there for about 35 days before transplanting to the main field, when they are strong and healthy.

Farmer guide (mwongozo wa mkulima)

Planting: Sow Eggplant (biringanya) in a nursery bed or trays with fine soil and compost. Keep moist and protected from heavy rain. Transplant strong seedlings with 4–6 true leaves.

Transplanting: Harden seedlings for about a week before transplanting. Transplant in the late afternoon, firm soil around the root ball and water immediately.

Irrigation: Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Pay special attention at flowering and early fruit filling. Avoid long dry spells and sudden heavy watering that can cause fruit cracking.

Fertigation: Under drip, start with more nitrogen early, then increase potassium as Eggplant (biringanya) starts flowering and fruiting. Split fertilizer into many small doses.

Pest scouting: Inspect twice a week for fruit borers, aphids, whiteflies, mites and wilting diseases. Check young shoots, flowers and small fruits carefully.

Pruning: Remove weak side shoots near the base and old diseased leaves. Light staking or tying may be needed to support heavily loaded plants.

Harvest: Harvest fruits when they are full-sized, glossy and firm but before seeds inside become hard. Pick regularly to encourage more fruiting.

Postharvest: Handle Eggplant (biringanya) gently, as fruits bruise easily. Keep in shade and avoid very cold storage which causes dull peel and pits.

Nutrient schedule (mbolea kwa hatua)

#	Stage	DAP	Product	Rate	Targets (kg/ha)	Notes
1	Basal at transplanting	0	NPK 17-17-17 or 15-15-15	150 kg/ha	N: 26, P₂O₅: 26, K₂O: 26	Apply around the planting holes of Eggplant (biringanya) and mix well with soil.
2	Vegetative topdress	21	CAN 26% N	100 kg/ha	N: 26, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 0	Apply between rows on moist soil and lightly incorporate.
3	Fruiting topdress	40	NPK 12-12-24 or similar high-K mix	120 kg/ha	N: 14, P₂O₅: 14, K₂O: 29	Apply as fruits begin to form to support yield and quality.

Nutrient requirements

Nutrient	Stage	Amount	Unit
N	Basal	40	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Basal	50	kg/ha
K₂O	Basal	40	kg/ha
N	Topdress_vegetative	40	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Topdress_vegetative	0	kg/ha
K₂O	Topdress_vegetative	30	kg/ha
N	Topdress_fruiting	30	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Topdress_fruiting	0	kg/ha
K₂O	Topdress_fruiting	40	kg/ha

Name	Country	Maturity	Traits
Black Beauty-type Eggplant	KE	90	Dark purple fruits, good size and high market demand.
Long purple Eggplant (biringanya)	KE	85	Long, slim fruits, good for slicing and frying.
Local mixed Eggplant (biringanya) selections	TZ	95	Mixture of shapes and sizes, adapted to low and medium inputs.

Stage	Product	Rate (kg/ha)	Notes
Basal	NPK 17-17-17 or 15-15-15	150	Gives a balanced start for Eggplant (biringanya) seedlings.
Topdress (vegetative)	CAN 26% N	100	Apply once plants are well established and growing strongly.
Topdress (fruiting)	NPK 12-12-24 or other high-K fertilizer	120	Supports fruit set and filling, improving yield and firmness.
Organic	Well-rotted manure or compost	8000	Incorporate before planting to improve soil structure and water holding.

Name	Type	Symptoms	Management
Eggplant fruit and shoot borer	pest	Bored holes and frass in shoots and fruits of Eggplant (biringanya); wilted shoots and damaged, deformed fruits.	Remove and destroy infested shoots and fruits, avoid leaving crop residues and use pheromone traps and recommended insec...
Aphids	pest	Colonies of small insects on young shoots and leaves, causing curling, yellowing and sticky honeydew.	Encourage natural enemies, avoid excess nitrogen and use selective insecticides or biopesticides when populations are hi...
Whiteflies	pest	Tiny white insects on underside of leaves causing yellowing and sooty mould.	Monitor regularly, remove heavily infested leaves and use recommended insecticides when necessary.
Spider mites	pest	Fine speckling, bronzing and webbing on Eggplant (biringanya) leaves during hot, dry periods.	Maintain some humidity, avoid dusty conditions and apply miticides/biopesticides if severe.
Bacterial wilt	disease	Sudden wilting of plants without yellowing, brown discoloration in stem when cut.	Use crop rotation, healthy seedlings, avoid poorly drained fields and remove wilted plants.
Early blight / leaf spots	disease	Brown spots with concentric rings on leaves, leading to defoliation and reduced yield.	Rotate crops, avoid overhead irrigation late in the day and use registered fungicides if needed.

System	Typical	Min	Max	Notes
Smallholder open-field Eggplant (biringanya)	15	10	20	Basic fertilizer use, simple pest control and regular picking.
Irrigated Eggplant with good management	30	20	40	Improved variety, drip irrigation, fertigation and good pest management.

Country	Region	Planting	Harvest
KE	Medium-altitude and peri-urban Eggplant (biringanya) areas	Warm months during rains or under irrigation	First fruits from about 9–10 weeks after transplanting and continued picking.
KE	Irrigated vegetable belts	Most of the year where temperatures stay warm	Long picking period with regular harvesting.
TZ	Coastal and lake basin Eggplant zones	Principal rainy seasons and under irrigation	Extended harvest over several months.

Country	Region	Suitability
KE	Irrigated smallholder Eggplant (biringanya) belts	High
KE	Medium-altitude and peri-urban vegetable zones	High
TZ	Coastal and lake basin vegetable areas	High
UG	Warm smallholder vegetable zones around towns	High