Variation in physiological seed quality of eggplant cultivars in relation to seed extraction time

Eggplant is one of the most essential vegetable crop which is cultivated widely across the world for its fruits. The study aimed to assess the effect of seed extraction time on seed quality of six eggplant cultivars (Solanum gilo: Dwomo, Kpando, Solanum melongena: GH3887, GH3915, Solanum macrocarpon: GH1072, GH4918). The experiment was undertaken at the research field of the CSIR-Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute, Bunso, Eastern Region, Ghana. The experiment was laid out in a randomised complete block design in three replicates. Harvesting of fruits of the six eggplant cultivars were conducted at maturity (1st harvest), a week after maturity (2nd harvest) and seeds extracted immediately after harvest as (0 days after harvest-DAH), 2 DAH, 4 DAH and 6 DAH. Before seed extraction, data was collected on the following fruit characteristics: fruit diameter, fruit length, and fruit weight. Seed quality was assessed by measuring 100-seed weight, seed vigour and germination percentage at 1st and 2nd harvests. The results of the study showed that all six eggplant cultivars differed significantly (p < 0.001) in fruit diameter, fruit length and fruit weight. GH3887 had the highest fruit diameter, fruit length and fruit weight followed by GH3915. Delay in the seed extraction time (i.e. 4 and 6 days after harvest) of eggplant cultivars increased the 100-seed weight, seed vigour and percentage seed emergence at 1st and 2nd harvests.