Growth and Yield of Solanum melongena L. as influenced by foliar application of yeast extract with different time intervals

Continuous use of inorganic fertilizers has negative effects on human health and the environment itself. Yeast is a natural bio-substance that has useful stimulatory, nutritional and protective functions during stress conditions due to its content of hormones, sugars, amino and nucleic acids, vitamins and minerals. Thereby when applied to plants, it may induce stress tolerance due to its role in the synthesis of protein and nucleic acids, and in minimizing their degradation. Following the role of yeast, an experiment on Solanum melongena L., locally known as brinjal (cv. Neelam) was carried out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) having two factors, i.e. yeast extract concentrations (Y-0=Control, Y-1=2, Y-2=4 and Y-3=6 g.L-1) and time of application (T-1= 15, T-2= 30 and T-3= 45 days after transplantation) at The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. The experimental results showed that both yeast extract concentration @ 6 g.L-1 and time of application (15 days after transplantation) significantly affected plant height (cm), number of branches, leaves and fruit plant(-1), single fruit weight (gm), leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD), single leaf area (cm(2)), yield plant(-1) (g) and yield tons ha(-1). It could be concluded from the study results that yeast extract at the rate of 6 g.L-1 could be applied 15 days after transplantation for gaining better growth and yield of brinjal under agro climatic condition of Peshawar, Pakistan.