Effect of adding biochar and spraying Salicylic acid on the growth and production of Solanum melongena L. eggplant to reduce drought stress

Abstract

This research aimed to study the effect of adding biochar made from Washingtonia fan palm trees at a concentration of 500 g/m² and spraying salicylic acid at a concentration of 1.5 mM on the vegetative growth and yield of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) under drought stress. This was achieved by irrigating the plants at different levels
 (100% and 50%) of their water requirements

This study was conducted at Latakia University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture, and the laboratories of the General Commission for Agricultural Scientific Research. Field experiments were carried out in the village of Al-Dabiqa, Tarjano subdistrict, Al-Haffah district, Latakia Governorate, Syria..

The results showed that the combined treatment (biochar + salicylic acid spray at T6) resulted in the best vegetative and fruiting performance. T6 recorded the highest values ​​for height (119.11 cm), leaf area (12458.17 cm²), average number of flowers (67.84 flowers), and average number of fruits (33.21 fruits/plant). The experiment also demonstrated that reducing irrigation to 50% significantly decreased plant growth and yield, while adding biochar and spraying salicylic acid helped mitigate the effects of drought and increase growth and fruiting efficiency.

 The results also showed that biochar reduced drought stress on eggplant plants when only 50% of the plant's water requirements were met.