Aubergine (Solanum melongena L.)

Cultivated aubergine with flower	Comparison of the fruits of aubergine varieties

Source: Bock.D., MPI Köln; Brücher H., Nutzpfl., Springer Verlag 1977

Distribution, Yield, Use:

Production (1000t) Yield (dt/ha)

Country	1979-81	1992	1979-81	1992
China	1490	2420	96	130
Turkey	660	740	169	168
Japan	640	500	299	312
Egypt	300	340	211	203
Italy	325	240	249	258
Syria	175	130	197	192
World	4660	5740	127	140

• Distribution:
  The most important countries of production are China, Turkey, Japan, Egypt and Syria. High requirement for water and warmth.
• Use:
  - Vegetable (boiled, roasted)
  The fruit contains 7-10% dry material, comprising 4-6% carbohydrate, 1-2% protein, 5 mg vitamin C/100 g.

Region of origin: Region of cultivation:

• Cultivation and Breeding:
  The aubergine comes from tropical India, where the prickly wild variety with relatively small, bitter, anthocyanin-containing berries grows. The plant reached Europe in the 13th century with the Arabs, and has been grown in Italy since 1550. The cultivated forms of the plant bear fruits with shapes from egg to sausage shape. They are whitish or black-purple in colour and can weigh up to 1 kg.
• Breeding aims:
  Breeding is concentrated on increasing the yield and content of desirable substances (protein, vitamins), resistance to diseases and improving the ability to withstand cold.

Text by Dr. Wolfgang Schuchert
Adapted to HTML by R.Saedler