THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT PRUNINGS ON THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF EGGPLANT CULTIVARS GROWN IN THE GREENHOUSE CONDITIONS

The aim of this research was to determine the most suitable pruning method for eggplants grown in greenhouses. Dusky F₁, Vittoria F₁, Valentina F₁, Indra F₁, Sicilia F_1,, Palmira F₁, and Imperial F₁ eggplant cultivars were used in the experiment. Fruit yield and the quality of experimental plants pruned to two primary shoots and three primary shoots were compared with the unpruned ones. As a result, both pruning types increased the plant length and the first quality fruit yield, and decreased the second class and waste fruits in all cultivars. There was no significant difference between the pruning types in respect of total fruit yield.