Influence of Post-emergence Herbicides and Rates on the Growth and Yield of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) is one of the widely known vegetables of the Solanaceae family, and is derived from the wild African species, Solanum incanum. They were domesticated in Southeast Asia, particularly in Northeast India and Southeast China, more than 2000 years ago. The study aims to influence of post-emergence herbicides and rates on the growth and yield of eggplant in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A field experiment was conducted at Akwa Ibom State University Teaching and Research Farm, Obio Akpa Campus in 2023 to assess the influence of post-emergence herbicides and rates on the growth and yield of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) in Obio Akpa. The experiment was laid out in a randomised complete block design with split plot arrangement and replicated four times. The main treatments were 2 types of herbicides Starforce 150 EC (fluazifop-P-butyl) and Bentazone-3(1-methlethyl)-1H-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one-2,2-dioxide), while the sub-treatments were 4 rates of application (1,2,3 kg a.i/ha and a control plot of no herbicide application). Data were taken on plant height(cm), number of branches, leaf area index, number of fruits per plant, length of fruit per plant(cm), fruit girth(cm), weight of fruits per plant(kg) and fruit yield (t/ha). Bentazone recorded stunted growth and the lowest fruit yield, with more yield reduction as the rate of application was increased, while Starforce showed the best growth and yield attributes. Similarly, application of 2.0 kga.i/ha favoured the growth and yield of eggplant across herbicides. To improve yield in eggplant production, proper selection of post-emergence herbicides should be one of the criteria for effective weed control despite other constraints facing its production. However, the interaction of herbicide type and rates showed Starforce at 2.0 kga.i/ha with the best growth and yield of 15.68t/ha and it is therefore recommended for weed control in eggplant production in the study area.