Field Evaluation of Eggplant (Solanum gilo) Accessions for Growth Performance, Yield, and Virus Resistance

Background and Objective: Eggplant (Solanum gilo), an important vegetable crop in Nigeria, is widely cultivated for its nutritional and medicinal benefits, as well as its economic value to small-scale farmers. This study aimed to evaluate the growth and yield responses of ten eggplant accessions to viral infections under field conditions. Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted from June to September, 2021 at the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) in Ibadan, Nigeria. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was used, and disease incidence and severity were assessed at two-week intervals from the 2nd to the 8th week after transplanting (WAT). Data were analyzed by ANOVA, and means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at a 5% significance level. Results: The results revealed significant differences in virus disease incidence and severity among the ten accessions. Accessions V1, V8, and V9 exhibited the lowest virus incidence (ranging from 4.2 to 25.5%) and severity scores (ranging from 1 to 2) over the evaluation period, indicating potential resistance or tolerance to viral infections. Conversely, V5 and V7 showed the highest virus severity scores of 4 and 5 at 8 WAT, corresponding to severe symptoms and significant yield reduction. Conclusion: These findings highlight the variability in resistance among eggplant accessions and underscore the importance of selecting virus-resistant varieties to enhance productivity. Further research should focus on breeding and developing eggplant cultivars with improved viral resistance for sustainable production.