Brinjal is one of the most popular vegetables. It is highly versatile and considered to enrich the flavour of dishes. Its shining purple skin and tender flesh make it a great addition to many dishes. You can use brinjal in a variety of recipes, from grilling and roasting to frying and stewing. The reason it is loved so much in many kitchens is that it can absorb flavours well and elevate them.
Besides the taste, brinjal is also very healthy. While low in calories, it contains many vital nutrients, including fibre, which fosters digestive health. It also has antioxidants, which help your body protect itself from certain types of damage. Incorporating brinjal into one’s diet can not only boost the nutrition level but also increase flavour and texture.
Interested in cultivating this vegetable? Read this detailed guide below to learn about its farming process.
Why Should You Eat Brinjal Everyday?
Brinjals are a perfect choice for anyone who is looking to maintain a healthy diet. By including brinjal in your meals, you can enjoy its delicious flavour while boosting your health. Let’s check the health benefits of this vegetable below:
- Controls diabetes
- Lowers the risk of heart diseases
- Helps in weight loss
- Have anti-cancer propertiesÂ
- Good for bone health
- Boosts immunity
- Beneficial for brain health
- Promotes skin health
Top Brinjal Growing States in India:
India grows more brinjal than any other country, producing about 30% of the world’s supply. The top producing states of this vegetable are mentioned below:
- West Bengal
- Orissa
- Gujarat
- Madhya Pradesh
- Chhatisgarh
Stages Involved in Brinjal Cultivation:
Several different phases are involved in the growing of brinjal. First, you start by preparing the soil and then plant seeds or seedlings to develop into plants. After that, the plants require more watering, sunlight, and care in order to grow to the optimum level. Last but not least, once the brinjal fruits develop, they are harvested and ready for consumption. All of them are vital when it comes to planting brinjal crops. Let’s read about these stages in detail below.
1. Climatic Conditions
- Temperature: The favourable climatic condition that favours the growth of Brinjal is moderate temperature ranging between 20°C to 30°C. It can withstand high temperatures, but it requires shelter from scorching heat.
- Sunlight: Select an area that has direct access to sunlight because the plants will require 6-8 hours of direct sunlight for maximum growth and fruiting.
2. Soil Preparation
- Soil Preparation: Prepare the planting bed using any powerful rotavator like a fieldking rotavator to till the soil properly. Also, incorporate organic matter into the soil to enhance its structure and nutrient concentration.
- Organic Matter: Add well-decomposed manure or compost to improve the fertility level of the soil.Â
- Soil Testing: A soil test will help to determine if there are any nutrient deficiencies or if the soil is rich in some nutrients but lacking in others.
3. Plantation
- Seed Sowing: Plant the seeds in rows with a spacing of about ¼ inch deep in the soil. Sow the seeds about one inch(2. 5) cm apart.
- Spacing: Sow space plants about 18-24 inches in rows with a distance of 24-36 inches to provide enough space for each plant to grow to maturity and for air to circulate.
4. Irrigation
- Watering Schedule: The plants must be watered deeply and frequently, particularly through dry periods. Reduce or increase the frequency of watering based on the amount of rainfall or the soil moisture content.
- Drip Irrigation: Planting using a drip irrigation system will ensure a steady water supply at the root level, reducing water waste and keeping the foliage dry.
5. Pest and Disease Management
- Pest Control: Look out for signs of aphids, whiteflies as well as flea beetles. In cases of pest control, use insecticidal soap or neem oil.
- Disease Prevention: Minimize fungal diseases through proper airflow and irrigation management, such as avoiding overhead irrigation. Infected plant parts should be collected and disposed of as soon as the disease is noticed.
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Practice Integrated Pest Management by providing biological, cultural, and chemical control methods for the proper control of pests and diseases.
6. Harvesting
- Timing: Brinjal should be harvested at the mature stage when the fruits are firm and have glossy, well-coloured skin.Â
- Technique: Cut the fruit from the plant using a sharp knife or pruning shears, leaving a stem of about half an inch long.
- Frequency: Farmers should harvest the brinjals frequently so that the plant does not stop producing fruits and the overripe fruits do not affect the plant.
7. Post-Harvesting
- Handling: When harvesting, brinjal should be handled carefully to avoid injuries and bruises. By using agricultural tractor trolleys and tractor trailer‘s, farmers can streamline their post-harvest logistics, reduce labor, and ensure the timely and safe transport of brinjals to the market.
- Storage: Brinjal should be stored in a cool, dry place or in the refrigerator in the vegetable bin for up to a week.Â
Conclusion:
Overall, brinjal is one of the best crops to grow because it has the potential to yield good profits. By following proper practices and using equipment such as the Fieldking rotavator, which effectively prepares the soil, you can obtain high yields of quality brinjal. The Fieldking rotavator price is also affordable, so one can buy it without any worry. Basically, farming brinjal can be a success and fulfilling if the right equipment and method are utilized.
