THE ROLE OF PRUNING METHODS ON GROWTH, YIELD AND PROFITABILITY OF BRINJAL UNDER THREE VARIETIES

Abstract

The experiment was conducted in the Horticulture Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh to evaluate the role of pruning methods on growth, yield and profitability of brinjal under three varieties. The experiment consisted of two factors. Factor A: Methods of pruning as P 0 = Control, P ii 1 = Old leaf remove, P = Lateral branch pruning, P = Old leaf remove and lateral branch pruning and Factor B: 3 varieties of brinjal as V 3 1 = BARI Begun-4, V 2 = BARI Begun-7, V 3 2 = BARI Begun- 10. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. In case of pruning, the highest number of flower (38.87), the maximum number of fruit per plant(27.83) and the highest yield (49.73 t/ha) were recorded from P 3 treatment, while the minimum were from P treatment. In case of variety, the maximum number of flower (41.23), the highest number of fruit harvested per plant (29.23) and the highest yield (52.83 t/ha) were found from V 0 treatment whereas the lowest from V treatment. Due to combined effect, the maximum number of flower (49.20), the maximum number of fruit harvested per plant (33.64), the highest yield (55.70 t/ha) were recorded from P 2 . So, it can be concluded that ‘BARI Begun-4’ with old leaf remove and lateral branch pruning gave the maximum yield. The highest gross return (10,02,600 tk/ha), highest netreturn (6,79,649 tk/ha) and highest benefit cost ratio (3.1) were obtained from P 3 V 1 3 V (old leaf remove and lateral branch pruning) treatment combination. So, the economic analysis revealed that the P 3 V 1 1 treatment combination appeared to be the best for achieving the higher growth, yield and economic benefit of brinjal.