SPECIFICITIES OF SEED PRODUCTION OF EGGPLANT(Solanum melongena L.)

Seed production of eggplant differs from mercantile production and has a number of specific characteristics. The conditions of successful production are the selection of plots, the proper selection of pre-crop and adequate and timely irrigation. When fertilizing, there have to be taken into account the level of nutrients in the soil, the state of fertility of the soil and the planned yield of the fruit (although only the seed is extracted). In the Republic of Serbia, the eggplant is produced from seedlings and it is very important for them to be quality and healthy. Transplanting of eggplant seedlings on the final setting by an optimal deadline is of great importance, including inter-row cultivation, the protection of crop from weeds, causers of diseases and pests. The most important moment for seed production is determining the moment of fruits harvest (ripeness phase) and the moment of extracting seeds from the fruit. In addition to the factors mentioned, the time of fermentation, the washing and drying of seeds are also significant. As in any seed production, there are to be observed legal regulations regarding spatial isolation, varietal purity, adulteration with other plant species and weeds and health condition of crop. Only the production and trade of seed of eggplant varieties included in the list of agricultural and forestry varieties (The Republic of Serbia) is permitted. The minimum seed quality prescribed by the law: minimum purity of 96%, minimum germination of 65%, no presence of weeds and other plant species, while the maximum moisture in seed is 13%.