Floral behaviour and fruit set in four cultivars of aubergine

Abstract

Four cultivars of aubergine (Solanum melongena L.) were cultivated in the greenhouse over two years. The number of flowers formed and their morphological characteristics were recorded in relation to the presence or absence of fruit. During fruit growth, flower formation was reduced, style length and flower mass declined, but the length of the anther cone was not affected. These effects were observed in both the basal and additional flowers of all cultivars. In particular, the flower mass of additional flowers declined to 0.21-0.24 g during fruit growth (plants with 4 fruit). On completion of fruit growth, flowering, flower size and style length increased. Since fruit set is reduced in short-styled flowers, the effect of fruit development is to cause a transitory decrease in fertility, which is reversed on fruit maturation.