Influence of Turmeric (Curcuma longa .L.) Extract on Fruiting and Nutritional Content of Egg Plant (Solanum melongena .L.)

This experiment was conducted during planting season of 2016 at Teaching and Research Farm of Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine to Study the effect of Foliar application with Turmeric extracts on growth, yield and nutritional status of eggplant (Solanum melogena L.). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Completely Block Design with three replications. Various concentrations (0, 1%, 2% and 3%) formed the treatment levels. Parameters such as plant heights, number of leafs, leaf area, stem girth, leaf area index and yield were measured. Statistically, the aqueous turmeric extract significantly (P<0.05) improved the above mentioned growth parameters than ethanol extract. The nutritional content was significantly improved upon by turmeric extract application. 300ml gave the highest yield (302.80kg/ha) from plots treated with aqueous extract. The obtained results showed that spraying aqueous turmeric extract at 3% improve the growth parameters of fruiting and fruit nutritional content. Therefore, turmeric extract and investigated two methods of extraction could be safely recommended as a natural bio-stimulants application improving the yield and fruit quality of Solanum melogena.