Impact of Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) on Growth, Quality and Yield of Eggplants

The present investigation was conducted to study the effect of Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) on the growth, quality, and yield of eggplants. The research was conducted at the Agriculture Research farm of Kabul University from April to September 2024. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and five treatments was employed: T1 (40 ppm), T2 (50 ppm), T3 (60 ppm), T4 (70 ppm), and T5 (Control). Data were collected on various growth parameters, fruit quality traits, and yield components. The recorded data were analyzed using the Statistical Tools for Agricultural Research (STAR) software. Results showed that NAA significantly enhanced eggplant growth, yield, and quality. T1 (40 ppm NAA) had the highest plant height (73.73 cm), branch number (9.20), leaf count (97), and leaf area (235.75 cm²), while the control group had the lowest values. T1 also produced the longest fruit (23.87 cm), largest diameter (4.21 cm), highest weight (186.67 g), and most fruits per plant (10.11). Similarly, T1 yielded the highest per plant (1.31 kg) and per hectare (41.9 metric tons), whereas the control recorded the lowest. Post-harvest results indicated no significant difference in shelf life. T1 had the best fruit appearance, texture, and flavor, with the highest overall acceptability (Like Moderately), while the control had the least (Neither Like nor Dislike). The results can be concluded that spraying eggplants with 40 ppm Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) at two stages (50% flowering and 20 days after the first application) can significantly improve their growth, quality, and yield. Farmers can spray this concentration of NAA to achieve vigorous growth, higher yield, and improved fruit quality.