INTERCROPPING OF EGGPLANT AND TOMATO AS FUNCTION OF TIMES OF TRANSPLANT AND CROPPING SEASON

-The use of intercropping system allows crops to better utilize inputs supplied and the productive capacity of the area, which can be advantageous to the farmer. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the production performance of eggplant and industrial tomato intercropped as a function of the date of eggplant transplantation compared with tomato transplantation, in two seasons. Ten dates of eggplant transplantation were evaluated (-30,-25,-20,-15,-10,-5, 0, + 5, +10 and +15 days compared with tomato transplantation), with the first season from February to September 2009 and the second from August 2009 to February 2010. The number of commercial fruits per plant, commercial yield per plant and commercial yield of eggplant and tomato were influenced by the date of transplanting of eggplant. Highest eggplant yields were obtained in the second season, due to the more favorable weather conditions for the development of this crop. Late eggplant transplants resulted in yield losses due to tomato interference. For tomatoes, the later the eggplant was transplanted, the higher the yield. Therefore, it is concluded that the species have a high degree of interference with each other and the variation in the time of eggplant transplantation influenced the production characters of both crops. In terms of production, the intercropping of these species may not be economically viable for the farmer due to negative influences on the growth, development and production of these crops.

Automated summary

The use of intercropping system allows crops to make better use of inputs and land productivity, benefiting farmers. This study evaluated the production performance of eggplant and industrial tomato intercropped at different transplanting dates. Results showed that the date of eggplant transplantation significantly influenced the commercial yield of both crops, with late transplanting resulting in yield losses for eggplant and higher yields for tomato. This suggests that there is a high degree of interference between these species and that the timing of eggplant transplantation can have a significant impact on production. Therefore, intercropping these crops may not be economically viable for farmers due to negative effects on growth, development, and production.