Rhizophagus irregularis and Azotobacter chroococcum Uphold Eggplant Production and Quality under Low Fertilization

Abstract

Microorganisms are essential parts of soil and play an important role in mediating many processes and influencing plant health. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NFB), the most common of such microorganisms, can benefit plants by enhancing the nutrient-absorbing ability of roots through bio-inoculation, also called biofertilization. Different methods have been tested and proven to be effective in the enhancement of soil nutrient availability. However, the effects of increased application of biological methods with minimal chemical fertilizers are still inconsistent. In this 2-year of fixed-point greenhouse test, we aimed to evaluate the impact of AMF (Rhizophagus irregularis) and/or NFB (Azotobacter) on growth, quality, and yield of eggplants under different N levels. Data showed that biofertilizer application with reduced chemical fertilizer had the highest impact on eggplant performance and yield. Indeed, low chemical fertilizers combined with adequate amounts of biofertilizers produced a higher plant height, length and width of leaves, dry matter, number of fruits per plant with better morphology, total yield per plant, and total soluble solids (TSS), suggesting that the use of Azotobacter and R. irregularis as biofertilizers could substantially reduce the use of chemical fertilizers without impairing the quality and yield of eggplant.

Nasunin, an Amazing Chemical Constituent in Eggplants (Solanum melongena L.): A Review of Its Major Properties and Health-Promoting Effects

“…By acting as an iron chelator, nasunin lowers the production of free radicals, which has a number of beneficial effects, including preventing cellular damage that can promote the development of cancer and reducing free radical injury in joints, a key component of rheumatoid arthritis . Furthermore, due to its high nasunin content, eggplant skin is employed to protect brain cells from harmful effects . Considering such significant effects and other pharmacological properties, further details of investigations concerning the benefits of nasunin on human health are comprehensively discussed in the following subsections.…”

“…37 Furthermore, due to its high nasunin content, eggplant skin is employed to protect brain cells from harmful effects. 144 Considering such significant effects and other pharmacological properties, further details of investigations concerning the benefits of nasunin on human health are comprehensively discussed in the following subsections.…”