Trader acceptability of African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum Shum) genotypes and effect of bio‐control treatments on consumer sensory acceptability

Abstract

Application of advanced agronomic practices may affect the sensory attributes of plant products. The study determined the trader physical acceptability of farmer preferred African eggplant (nakati) genotypes (E11, E15 and E16); and later studied the impact of bio-control treatments; Trichoderma spp (TRI). and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) on consumer sensory appeal of genotypes using standard sensory evaluation methods. The trader acceptability of genotypes based on leaf number, succulence, smoothness, colour, and shininess were significantly different; except for the hard-textured leaves of E11 (P ≤ 0.05). Leaf appearance (E11) and stalk-leaf quantity (E15 and E16) were preferred by high-end and low-end markets, respectively. Consumer sensory acceptability of bio-control-treated samples, above 85% of E15 and E16 was liked based on reduced bitterness (P ≤ 0.05). Using descriptive sensory tastes, results showed that soil bio-control treatment with TRI during the light rain season significantly improved the palatability of E15 and E16. Therefore, use of TRI during light or dry season improves sensory appeal of nakati.

Effects of transplanting and AMF inoculation on the fruit yield of African eggplants (Solanum aethiopicum and Solanum anguivi) in Tanzania

“…Amending substrate at sowing with AMF led to an overall increase of fruit yield, although to a much lesser extent than transplanting. AMF improved resilience to a limited water supply, and increased yield of solanaceous crops, like the leafy S. aethiopicum, Shum group (Joseph et al, 2022). AMF (Acaulospora laevis) inoculation led to an increased biochemical composition and mineral content of S. melongena eggplants (Sharma et al, 2022).…”

Amplicon sequencing identified a putative pathogen, Macrophomina phaseolina, causing wilt in African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum) grown in Tanzania and Uganda

“…and Trichoderma, to improve plant health. The intermediate impact of AMF is the improved resilience to limited water supply, subsequently increasing yield and alleviating the bitter taste of some solanaceous crops, like the leafy S. aethiopicum L., Shum group (Joseph et al, 2022). Trichoderma has mainly been associated with antibiotic remedies and ultimately can improve productivity (Kumar and Ashraf, 2017;Bubici et al, 2019).…”