For the 1991-92 season, 2,550 acres of eggplant were harvested in Florida, with a cash value

of $16.9 million. Palm Beach County (East) harvested the most eggplant with 1,050 acres. The

remaining acres of eggplant for the 1991-92 season were harvested from various other counties

(FASS, 1993). The major type of eggplant grown in the Palm Beach area is the Classic variety

(Shuler, 1993). Other varieties include Florida Market and Florida Beauty (Hart, no date).

 Eggplant production can generally occur year round. The vegetable crop that follows

eggplant in a double cropping production system depends upon prevailing environmental and

economic factors. Pepper or cucumber are the preferred vegetables when double cropping with

eggplant. Double cropping eggplant is not considered a common practice in Palm Beach

County.


Cultural Practice

 The cultural practices for eggplant production are very similar to tomato production. The

primary production method for eggplant in the Palm Beach area is the full-bed mulch system

with seepage irrigation. This system requires that all soil additives, such as fumigants and

fertilizers, be added prior to application of plastics. The field should be plowed and disked to

turn under old crop residue in order to reduce detrimental soil organisms. The soil should be

analyzed for any additional additives required, such as lime or sulfur for pH adjustment

(Kostewicz, 1976). Then bedding (shaping the bed), fumigating, and fertilizing are done prior

to the application of plastic. Advantages of plastic include increased weed control, moisture

retention, and reduced leaching of fertilizer (Hochmuth, 1988a).

 It is important to maintain water approximately 15 to 18 inches below soil surface to

ensure seepage into the root zone and sustain moisture. By maintaining a moist environment,