🍅 Solanaceous Vegetables — Tomato, Brinjal & Chilli
Study solanaceous vegetable cultivation for CUET Agriculture. Pusa varieties, seed rate, transplanting, spacing, manuring and yield data.
The Solanaceae family, commonly called the Nightshade family, includes some of the most economically important vegetable crops in India. All solanaceous vegetables share a characteristic flower structure with 5 fused petals and 5 stamens fused to the corolla tube. A key exam fact: all major solanaceous vegetables have 2n = 24 chromosomes, except Potato which is a tetraploid with 2n = 48.
1. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) — Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
- Family: Solanaceae
- Origin: Peru, South America
- Chromosome number: 2n = 24
- Richest source of Lycopene -- this is the red pigment responsible for the characteristic colour of ripe tomatoes, and it has powerful antioxidant properties that help fight free radicals in the human body
- Self-pollinated crop; exhibits both determinate (bush type, limited growth) and indeterminate (vine type, continuous growth) growth types
IMPORTANT
Tomato is a climacteric fruit, meaning it continues to ripen after harvest. This property allows harvesting at the breaker stage (just starting to show colour) for distant markets, since ripening will continue during transport.
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The Solanaceae family, commonly called the Nightshade family, includes some of the most economically important vegetable crops in India. All solanaceous vegetables share a characteristic flower structure with 5 fused petals and 5 stamens fused to the corolla tube. A key exam fact: all major solanaceous vegetables have 2n = 24 chromosomes, except Potato which is a tetraploid with 2n = 48.
1. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) — Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
- Family: Solanaceae
- Origin: Peru, South America
- Chromosome number: 2n = 24
- Richest source of Lycopene -- this is the red pigment responsible for the characteristic colour of ripe tomatoes, and it has powerful antioxidant properties that help fight free radicals in the human body
- Self-pollinated crop; exhibits both determinate (bush type, limited growth) and indeterminate (vine type, continuous growth) growth types
IMPORTANT
Tomato is a climacteric fruit, meaning it continues to ripen after harvest. This property allows harvesting at the breaker stage (just starting to show colour) for distant markets, since ripening will continue during transport.
Climate & Soil
- Warm season crop; optimum temperature 20-25 degrees C for growth and fruit set
- Night temperature below 13 degrees C causes poor fruit set because pollen viability decreases at low temperatures
- Prefers well-drained sandy loam to loam soil with pH 6.0-7.0
- Sensitive to frost and waterlogging -- waterlogged conditions promote root diseases and reduce oxygen availability to roots
Important Varieties
| Type | Varieties |
|---|---|
| Determinate (bush type) | Pusa Ruby, Pusa Gaurav, Pusa Sheetal, Arka Vikas, Arka Saurabh |
| Indeterminate | Pusa Hybrid-1, Pusa Hybrid-2, Best of All, Marglobe |
| Hybrid | Arka Rakshak (triple disease resistant -- ToLCV, BW, EB), Arka Samrat |
| Processing | Pusa Uphar, Roma, Arka Meghali |
| Cherry tomato | Arka Ashish |
TIP
For CUET, remember Arka Rakshak as the triple disease resistant hybrid -- it is resistant to Tomato Leaf Curl Virus (ToLCV), Bacterial Wilt (BW), and Early Blight (EB). This is a frequently asked variety.
Nursery & Transplanting
- Seed rate: 400-500 g/ha -- tomato seeds are small, so a relatively low seed rate suffices for the nursery
- Nursery period: 4-5 weeks until seedlings develop 4-5 true leaves and are pencil-thick
- Transplanting seasons:
- Kharif -- June-July
- Rabi -- October-November
- Summer -- January-February
- Spacing: 60cm x 45cm (determinate); 75cm x 60cm (indeterminate) -- indeterminate types need more space because they grow taller and produce lateral branches continuously
Manuring
- 25 tonnes FYM + 120 kg N + 80 kg P2O5 + 60 kg K2O per hectare
- Nitrogen is applied in 3 splits: 50% basal (at transplanting) + 25% at 30 DAT + 25% at 60 DAT. Split application ensures continuous nutrient availability and reduces leaching losses.
- Calcium spray is recommended to prevent blossom end rot, a calcium-deficiency disorder
Irrigation
- Critical stages for irrigation: transplanting, flowering, and fruit development -- water stress during these stages directly reduces yield
- Drip irrigation is recommended as it delivers water directly to the root zone; avoid overhead irrigation as it creates humid conditions that promote foliar diseases like early blight and late blight
Harvesting & Yield
- Climacteric fruit; harvest at breaker stage (first appearance of pink/red colour at blossom end) for distant markets, or at full red stage for local markets
- Maturity indicators: colour change from green to pink/red; typically 70-80 days after transplanting
- Yield: 30-50 tonnes/ha (open pollinated); 60-80 tonnes/ha (hybrid) -- hybrids produce significantly more due to heterosis (hybrid vigour)
Physiological Disorders
These are non-pathogenic problems caused by environmental stress or nutritional imbalances:
- Blossom End Rot -- caused by calcium deficiency; appears as a dark, leathery patch at the blossom end (bottom) of the fruit. Irregular watering that disrupts calcium uptake is the primary trigger.
- Puffiness -- fruit appears hollow inside with air pockets; caused by poor pollination or high temperature during fruit development
- Cat face -- fruit becomes malformed with deep indentations; caused by low temperature during flowering which damages the developing ovary
- Sunscald -- bleached, papery area on the sun-exposed side of fruits; occurs when fruits lose leaf cover due to defoliation
- Cracking -- radial (from stem to blossom) or concentric (rings around stem end) cracks; caused by irregular watering -- sudden heavy irrigation after a dry spell causes rapid fruit expansion that splits the skin
Why Does Blossom End Rot Happen?
Calcium is relatively immobile in the plant -- it moves primarily through the xylem with the transpiration stream. When transpiration is disrupted (e.g., during high humidity, waterlogging, or drought), calcium delivery to the rapidly growing fruit tip slows down. The blossom end of the fruit is the farthest point from the stem, so it receives calcium last. This is why maintaining consistent soil moisture through mulching and regular irrigation is the best preventive measure, even more than adding extra calcium to the soil.
Major Diseases
- Early blight -- Alternaria solani; produces characteristic concentric ring spots ("target-board" pattern) on older leaves first
- Late blight -- Phytophthora infestans; causes water-soaked lesions that rapidly enlarge; the same pathogen that caused the Irish Potato Famine (1845)
- Bacterial wilt -- Ralstonia solanacearum; a soil-borne disease where the entire plant wilts suddenly without yellowing of leaves. The bacterium blocks xylem vessels.
- Tomato leaf curl virus (ToLCV) -- transmitted by whitefly (Bemisia tabaci); causes upward curling and thickening of leaves, stunting the plant
2. Brinjal / Eggplant (Solanum melongena)
Brinjal (Solanum melongena) — Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
- Family: Solanaceae
- Origin: India (primary centre of origin) -- this makes brinjal one of the few major vegetables that originated in India
- Chromosome number: 2n = 24
- Also called aubergine (European name); India is the second-largest producer after China
- Often self-pollinated, but significant cross-pollination occurs (up to 20%) due to insect activity, which is important for breeding programmes
Climate & Soil
- Warm season crop; optimum 25-30 degrees C
- Sensitive to frost but highly tolerant of heat, making it suitable for summer cultivation in tropical regions
- Well-drained loamy soil; pH 5.5-6.5 (slightly more acidic preference than tomato)
Important Varieties
- Long fruited: Pusa Purple Long, Pusa Purple Cluster, Arka Shirish
- Round fruited: Pusa Purple Round, Pusa Ankur, Arka Navneet (hybrid)
- Hybrid: Pusa Hybrid-6, Arka Navneet, Pusa Hybrid-5
- Resistant: Arka Keshav (bacterial wilt resistant) -- important for regions where bacterial wilt is endemic
- Green/White: Pusa Shyamla
Nursery & Transplanting
- Seed rate: 500-600 g/ha -- slightly higher than tomato because brinjal seeds have lower germination percentage
- Nursery: 5-6 weeks old seedlings used for transplanting
- Spacing: 60cm x 60cm or 75cm x 60cm -- brinjal plants are bushier than tomato and need more space
- Season: Kharif (June-July), Rabi (Oct-Nov), Summer (Jan-Feb)
Manuring
- 20 tonnes FYM + 100 kg N + 50 kg P2O5 + 50 kg K2O per hectare
Harvesting & Yield
- Harvest when fruits are tender, glossy, and have immature seeds -- the glossy sheen indicates the fruit is at the right stage
- Loss of glossiness indicates overmaturity; the seeds inside have started hardening, making the fruit tough and bitter
- Yield: 30-40 tonnes/ha (OP); 50-60 tonnes/ha (hybrid)
- Duration: 5-6 pickings; harvesting starts 60-70 days after transplanting
Major Pests & Diseases
- Brinjal shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis) -- the most damaging pest of brinjal; caterpillars bore into growing shoots (causing wilting of shoot tips) and fruits (causing internal feeding damage). This pest can cause up to 70% crop loss if uncontrolled.
- Phomopsis blight -- causes fruit rot, appearing as soft brown spots
- Little leaf of brinjal -- a phytoplasma disease; transmitted by leafhopper Hishimonus phycitis. Infected plants show extremely small, pale green leaves with shortened internodes, giving a bushy appearance.
WARNING
Little leaf is often confused with viral diseases in exams. Remember it is caused by a phytoplasma (not a virus), and its vector is a leafhopper (not whitefly or aphid).
3. Chilli (Capsicum annuum)
Chilli (Capsicum annuum) — Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
- Family: Solanaceae
- Origin: Mexico, Central and South America
- Chromosome number: 2n = 24
- Pungency is due to capsaicin, an alkaloid found in the placenta (the white tissue inside the fruit to which seeds are attached). Capsaicin content is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU).
- Colour of red chilli is due to capsanthin, a carotenoid pigment that develops as the fruit ripens
- India is the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of chilli in the world
IMPORTANT
Two key pigments to remember: Capsaicin = pungency (heat), found in placenta. Capsanthin = red colour, a carotenoid. These are frequently tested in CUET.
Climate & Soil
- Warm season crop; optimum 20-30 degrees C
- Fruit set is severely affected above 35 degrees C due to flower drop -- high temperatures cause abscission of flowers before pollination can occur
- Well-drained loamy soil; pH 6.0-7.0
Important Varieties
| Type | Varieties |
|---|---|
| Dry chilli | Byadgi (Karnataka), Guntur Sannam (AP), LCA-334, Pusa Jwala |
| Green chilli | Pusa Sadabahar, Arka Lohit, Arka Harita |
| Paprika | Kt-PL-19, Arka Abhir |
| Hybrid | Arka Meghana, Arka Suphal |
| Bell pepper / Capsicum | California Wonder, Arka Mohini, Arka Basant |
Byadgi vs Guntur -- The Two Most Famous Indian Chillies
Byadgi chilli from Karnataka is prized for its deep red colour (high capsanthin) but low pungency. It is extensively used in food colouring and as a natural dye. Guntur Sannam from Andhra Pradesh is the most widely traded Indian chilli variety, known for moderate to high pungency. Guntur district in AP is often called the "Chilli Capital of India."
Cultivation
- Seed rate: 1-1.5 kg/ha
- Spacing: 60cm x 45cm (transplanted); 45cm x 30cm (direct sown) -- direct sowing uses closer spacing to compensate for potential plant losses
- Manuring: 120 kg N + 60 kg P2O5 + 80 kg K2O + 20 tonnes FYM/ha
Harvesting & Yield
- Green chilli: first picking at 60-70 days after transplanting; harvested when fruits are firm, green, and fully grown
- Dry chilli: harvest when fruits turn fully red (4-5 pickings over the season)
- Yield: Green 10-15 t/ha; Dry 2-3 t/ha -- the large difference is because drying removes most of the water content (about 75-80% moisture loss)
Major Problems
- Chilli leaf curl virus (ChiLCV) -- transmitted by thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis); causes upward curling and crinkling of leaves
- Die-back and anthracnose -- caused by Colletotrichum capsici; starts as die-back of shoot tips and progresses to anthracnose (dark, sunken lesions) on fruits. This is the most serious fungal disease of chilli.
- Bacterial wilt -- Ralstonia solanacearum; same pathogen that affects tomato and brinjal
- Thrips -- beyond being a virus vector, thrips cause leaf distortion and silvery patches by rasping leaf tissue
- Fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera) -- a polyphagous pest that bores into developing fruits
NOTE
Notice that whitefly transmits ToLCV in tomato, while thrips transmit ChiLCV in chilli. This distinction is commonly tested. Also, Ralstonia solanacearum (bacterial wilt) is a common pathogen across all three solanaceous vegetables.
Summary Cheat Sheet
| Concept / Topic | Key Details / Explanation |
|---|---|
| Solanaceae family | Nightshade family; 5 fused petals, 5 stamens fused to corolla tube; all 2n = 24 except Potato (2n = 48) |
| Tomato — basics | Solanum lycopersicum; Origin: Peru; 2n = 24; richest source of Lycopene (red pigment); self-pollinated; climacteric fruit |
| Tomato — climate | Optimum 20-25°C; night temp below 13°C causes poor fruit set; pH 6.0-7.0 |
| Tomato — key variety | Arka Rakshak — triple disease resistant (ToLCV + BW + EB) |
| Tomato — seed rate & spacing | 400-500 g/ha; spacing 60×45 cm (determinate), 75×60 cm (indeterminate) |
| Tomato — manuring | 25 t FYM + 120 N + 80 P₂O₅ + 60 K₂O kg/ha; N in 3 splits |
| Tomato — yield | OP: 30-50 t/ha; Hybrid: 60-80 t/ha; maturity 70-80 DAT |
| Tomato — disorders | Blossom End Rot (Ca deficiency), Puffiness (poor pollination), Cat face (low temp), Sunscald, Cracking (irregular watering) |
| Tomato — diseases | Early blight (Alternaria solani), Late blight (Phytophthora infestans — Irish Famine 1845), Bacterial wilt (Ralstonia), ToLCV (whitefly vector) |
| Brinjal — basics | Solanum melongena; Origin: India; 2n = 24; India is 2nd largest producer |
| Brinjal — climate & spacing | Optimum 25-30°C; seed rate 500-600 g/ha; spacing 60×60 cm |
| Brinjal — yield | OP: 30-40 t/ha; Hybrid: 50-60 t/ha; harvest when glossy |
| Brinjal — major pest | Shoot & fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis) — most damaging pest |
| Brinjal — little leaf | Caused by phytoplasma (NOT virus); vector: leafhopper Hishimonus phycitis |
| Brinjal — resistant variety | Arka Keshav — bacterial wilt resistant |
| Chilli — basics | Capsicum annuum; Origin: Mexico; 2n = 24; Capsaicin = pungency (in placenta); Capsanthin = red colour |
| Chilli — India's position | Largest producer, consumer, and exporter of chilli in the world |
| Chilli — key varieties | Byadgi (deep red, low pungency — Karnataka); Guntur Sannam (most traded — AP) |
| Chilli — seed rate & spacing | 1-1.5 kg/ha; spacing 60×45 cm (transplanted) |
| Chilli — yield | Green: 10-15 t/ha; Dry: 2-3 t/ha |
| Chilli — diseases | Die-back & anthracnose (Colletotrichum capsici) — most serious fungal disease; ChiLCV transmitted by thrips |
| Key vector distinction | Whitefly → ToLCV in tomato; Thrips → ChiLCV in chilli; Ralstonia bacterial wilt common to all three |
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