Around the same time, a purple-hued, oblong-shaped eggplant was making its debut in British cuisine. In rural districts across the length and breadth of Africa, it is commonplace to see women with large baskets of garden eggs on their heads for sale. The African Eggplant goes by many names: Garden eggs, mock tomato, scarlet eggplant, Ethiopian eggplant, African bitter pea-aubergine, wild pea-aubergine, wild African aubergine, tomato-fruited eggplant, Ethiopian nightshade, scarlet eggplant, bitter tomato (En); aubergine africaine, aubergine écarlate, tomate amère, djakattou (Fr); nakati etíope, berenjena escarlata (Sp). In the Nguruman farming area of southwestern Kenya, horticultural crops including eggplant (S. melongena L.) are being grown intensively on plots recently cleared from riverine umbrella Acacia (Acacia tortilis (Forsk.) It’s maturity period is usually between 60 days to 70 days and the plant maintains a very vigorous smooth leaves with a flattened slightly ribbed shape. The fruit is violet in color having high ascorbic acid content about 16.65 miligram per 100 gram. Kenya Seed Agent Application Form (682 downloads) Kenya Seed Products Catalogue (2649 downloads) Kenya Seed Service Charter (333 downloads) Kenya Seed Stockist Application Form (501 downloads) Maize Growers Application Form (407 downloads) Oat Seeds Growers Application Form (272 downloads) Pasture Seed Growers Application Form (306 downloads) Many eggplant varieties have small prickly thorns on the stem and calyx, so exercise caution or wear gloves when harvesting. However, with enhanced research, better varieties have been introduced in the market. Eggplants are an Old World crop, valued for their taste as well as antioxidant and micronutrient contents. N’Drowa is a very popular variety in Ivory Coast and countries where sweet taste is required. Eva F1; Shanty F1; GALILEA F1 IMPROVED; Tomato Assilla F1; Rambo F1; Tomato Bravo F1; Hybrid Tomato Commando F1; Tomato Tylka F1; Kilele F1; MONICA F1; Tomato Star 9065; Tomato Star 9082; Broccoli. The fruit is approximately 6-9 inches long and about 5 inches in diameter. In Kenya they are normally planted from beginning of June to end of December to correspond with the export season from October to May. One variety of eggplant exhibited a significantly reduced seed set in absence of pollinators, and two varieties significantly increased seed numbers when pollen deposition was enhanced. This crop is susceptible to severe frost conditions. Read Also: Clean your Kidney now with Garden Egg Leaves. They love the heat, so they sometimes struggle in the cooler Tasmanian summers. The African Eggplant has been domesticated and are grown predominantly in Africa and are important especially in Central and West Africa. In addition, eggplant is a sun loving plant and should be positioned in an area that receives full sunlight. Two solitary bee species, Xylocopa caffra and Macronomia rufipes , were identified as effective pollinators of the crop. Facebook 0 Tweet 0 Pin 0. Eggplant bears flowers with abundant pollen that can only be dispersed through small orifices in the anthers. Kenya Seed Company. Some of the varieties of African Egg Plant includes: Keur M’Bir N’Dao gives attractive large fruits, deeply ribbed and flattened. Eggplants are known by many names and various varieties have been cultivated in vast regions of the globe. Consisting of 92% water, the African eggplant is every dieter’s dream because it is low in calories and high in dietary fibre. Consisting of 92% water, the African eggplant is every dieter’s dream because it is low in calories and high in dietary fibre. Other Fruits and Vegetables from Kenya: Fresh Kenya Asparagus, Fresh Kenya Avocados, Fresh Kenya Eggplant, Fresh Kenya Pawpaws, Fresh Kenya Pineapples, Fresh Kenya Tree Tomato, Fresh Kenya Watermelons, Green Mangoes, Kenya Broccoli, Kenya Baby Carrots, Kenya Baby Corn, Kenya Baby Leeks, Kenya Beetroot, Kenya Bell Pepper (Capsicum), Kenya Butternut, Kenya Cabbage, Kenya … All these varieties vary in size, farming conditions, color and period of maturity. Different varieties of the plant produce fruit of different size, shape, and color, though typically purple. The eggplant is also known as guinea quash, aubergine or brinjal in Kenya. These fruits were whitish, with a green hue, shaped like eggs, with a slightly bitter taste and spongy texture. What are the Health Benefits of Cashew Nuts? Find eggplant seeds and plants that have pretty purple flowers and handsome, glossy fruits available at Burpee. Excellent fruit setting assuring high yield. There are quite a number of different types of eggplant in the Kenyan market. The eggplant can easily be found locally in the Kenyan market. The bitter taste in leaves is attributed to furostanol glycosides (saponins). Throughout Africa, garden eggs are very popular and play an important part in many diets. Farmer can expect a yield of 55 to 57 tonnes per hectare in 120 to 130 days. Although bitter taste is a major characteristic, many African eggplants are bland. Starke Ayres in Kenya: hybrids and innovation are empowering small-scale growers The seed-growing industry in Kenya is evolving dramatically. Some of them include the orange Turkish and the green Thai eggplant. Farmers growing insect-resistant Bt brinjal (eggplant) improved their yields by 51 percent and cut pesticide costs by 37.5 percent, according to the study published last month in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics. Our Products. The Bt maize planted earlier in western Kenya is already […] Our team researches and develops over 20 different crops with over 2,200 varieties of seeds. Title. It can be grown all year round but results are better during cool and dry season. Usually, late varieties can withstand low temperature than early yielding ones. It’s maturity period is between 65 days to 75 days and the plant maintains a medium hairy leaves with a very flattened deeply ribbed shape. With over 140 years of experience, we are committed to doing ethical business and offering sustainable and … Both species are grown for their leaves and fruits. Cavendish Banana (Musa acuminata Cavendish Subgroup) Cavendish cultivar (dwarf cavendish) and grand nain. Introducing “Agric4Profit Cocoa Farm Set-Up”. All Rights Reserved. Based on usage, S. aethiopicum is classified into four groups. - Importance and Health Benefits, Reasons why Black Currant is good for your Health, Black Cohosh - Importance and Health Benefits, How to Grow Passion Fruits (Passiflora edulis) and make Fortune from it, Clean your Kidney now with Garden Egg Leaves, Garden Egg Production: Step-by-Step Guide, The Effect of giving Smaller or Bigger Size of Feeds to Catfish, Forage-based diets on dairy farms produce nutritionally enhanced milk. Lettuce Aviram; Tomatoes. Small fruited eggplant: these grow into green fruits and mostly include lavender and purple varieties, Oval/oblong variety: they are usually purple to black, large and oval, Novelty eggplant: This range consists of some of the most unusual eggplant breeds. Hayne) forests. The eggplant should be transported as swiftly as possible under controlled temperatures. Eggplant seeds grow well when intermingled with flowers. Kenya eggplant is a succulent, purple plant than can be classified botanically as a berry. Copyright ©2020 Agric4profits.com. An alternative method of packing was therefore devised. © 2020 Selina Wamucii. The butternut yield per acre is a great motivation for farmers. Furthermore, many cassava varieties contain cyanogenic glucosides, and inadequate processing can lead to high toxicity. When the fruits become dull or brown, they are too mature for culinary use and should be cut off and discarded. As a semi-domesticated species it offers a great variation in the plants, flowers and fruits numbers, sizes, colours etc. Neptune F1; Russet F1; Onion malbec; Onion Red Pinnoy; … Please be as specific as possible. Links will be auto-linked. Aubergine, brinjal, solanum melongena, guinea quash, 6-9 inches long, 4-6 large rounded fruit per plant, about 5inches in diameter,2.5 pounds in weight, Small fruited eggplant, oval eggplant, novelty eggplant and Japanese eggplant, Subtropical climates, May-June, August- September, December-January, PVC films, pre-treatment with fungicide, non- perforated polythene bags, Low oxygen levels, swift, cool temperature. Pumpkin was one of those food crops that were considered indigenous for the longest time with people planting the round pumpkin. With this latest development, Kenyan farmers are now closer to growing GM (Bt) maize on their farms. The name brinjal has an Indian background. The fruits of the white varieties have medicinal value for diabetics. Best quality black beauty eggplant, early long purple eggplant and florida highbush eggplant varieties from Kenya. About 500 years ago, British traders introduced the African Eggplant, a fruit they had encountered along the coast of West Africa to Britain. Just like tomatoes and berries and other plants that belong to this family, the eggplant grows hanging from the vines of its plant. The fruits are consumed fresh as well as boiled, steamed, pickled, or in stews with other vegetables or meats, while young leaves are often used in soups and with other vegetables. The color appears yellowish green while the size of the fruit can be as medium sized as 70grams (Diameter = 6cm) with a sweet taste and is popular in Ivory Coast and they are Tolerant to aphids. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are attractive bushes which make a stunning addition to any vegetable garden. Variety: Prostar F1 Plant Spacing: 60 x 45 (cm) Maturity: 80–85 (days) Yield/Acre: 180,000 (kgs) Ideal Climate: Warm Attributes. Typically in Africa, the garden egg is mostly consumed raw, as a snack, or it is chopped, and cooked in stews and sauces. Beta-carotene: extremely high in leaves, low in fruit; vitamin E: low in fruit; riboflavin: low in leaves and fruit; folic acid: low in fruit; ascorbic acid: high in leaves, low in fruit; calcium: extremely high in leaves, low in fruit; iron: high in leaves, low in fruit; protein: 4.8% in leaves, 1.0% in fruit. Eggplant; Hot Pepper; Leek; Lettuce; Melon; Okra; Onion; Pawpaw; Squash; Sweet Pepper; Tomato; Watermelon; Winter Squash 100g of the African Eggplant contains 32 calories, 1.5g of protein and 7g f carbohydrates. 100g of the African Eggplant contains 32 calories, 1.5g of protein and 7g f … Read Also: Garden Egg Production: Step-by-Step Guide. Some of these types include; Kenya eggplant thrives best in regions exhibiting subtropical climates with temperatures of between 20 to 28 degrees Celsius with soils of Ph levels between 5 and 7. Here are some Amazing Vegetable Gardening books and Products to guide and assist you further: document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a3fa6ad41853dc460daea122f0dcf15e" );document.getElementById("ic50337fdb").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Eggplant has a cropping period of 4-7 months. Products by Category. These innovative seeds are marketed to commercial vegetable growers, dealers, distributors, home garden seed providers and wholesalers in more than 150 countries and territories. On most occasions, the eggplant weighs about 2.5 pounds. Although the African Eggplant is available all year round, they are mainly in season between the months of March and October. Enter your email address below to get new post notifications and updates by email... Let's keep in touch! We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. Selina Wamucii is a platform for food & agricultural produce from Africa’s cooperatives, farmers groups, agro-processors and other organizations that work directly with family farmers. Kenya Seed Online Shop; Products Search. It belongs to the nightshade family Solanaceae. Kenya eggplants: Common name: Aubergine, brinjal, solanum melongena, guinea quash: Size: 6-9 inches long, 4-6 large rounded fruit per plant, about 5inches in diameter,2.5 pounds in weight: Variety: Small fruited eggplant, oval eggplant, novelty eggplant and Japanese eggplant: Season: Subtropical climates, May-June, August- September, December-January Nutritionally, the African Eggplant shares the nutritional profile of the Eggplant or the Aubergine. About 15 fruits are pre-treated with fungicide and later packed in non-perforated polythene lined bags with layers of tissue paper. ... KENYA. African Eggplant is sometimes called “bitter tomato”. The additional revenue per hectare (1 hectare is approximately 2 ½ acres) is the equivalent of around $664, a substantial sum for resource-poor … Climate Required for Eggplant Farming: – Basically, eggplant crop is a long warm season crop that requires an ideal temperature range of 20°C to 28°C for its cultivation. In Tanzania, most communities have a preference for the bitter leaves but the broad leaved sweeter types newly introduced by AVRDC are increasingly being adopted. Sakura F1; Amy F1; Onions. The four genetically engineered (Bt) varieties yielded, on average, 19.6% more eggplant than non-Bt varieties and earned growers 21.7% higher revenue, according to the study, published May 25 in Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology.. All rights reserved. Basic requirements Eggplants are warm-season crops which require a long growing season.They grow best in regions where the daytime temperature is between 26 and 32°C (80–90°F) and night time temperatures around 21°C (70°F). They are mainly planted between May and June, August and September and December and January. However, the small (1.5 cm across) very bitter fruit is not eaten. Eggplants are known by many names and various varieties have been cultivated in vast regions of the globe. In Tasmania its best to start them as seedlings. Text. The other varieties and hybrids include Krishna, ManjariGota, Pragati, Vaishali, ABV-I, and COBH2. Low oxygen levels will do good to increase the life of the eggplant by delaying its decay for a couple of days. Although physically different, the African eggplant and the Eggplant or Aubergine are closely related members of the same specie. By Steve Albert 4 Comments. Leave the large (usually green) calyx attached to the fruit. The Kumba group has a stout main stem with large hairless leaves that can be picked as a green vegetable, and later produces very large (5-10 cm across) grooved fruit that is picked green or even red. Bangladeshi farmers significantly reduced pesticide use and increased their profits by growing genetically modified (GM) eggplant, a new study confirms. According to research, an acre can give you 4000 kgs and taking the lowest price (100), this will earn you 390,000 yet with less than 39,000 invested capital. Varieties A number of both local and improved varieties exist in Kenya: It gives very typical fruits, generally flattened and deeply ribbed. Browse a huge selection of eggplant seeds and plants that ornamental in your vegetable garden or patio in stock at Burpee. Green Uganda Pea eggplant at edible (but bitter) stage. The Gilo group has edible fruit of many shapes (depressed spherical to elliptic in outline) and sizes (2-8 cm across). They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are attractive bushes which make a stunning addition to any vegetable garden. ABOUT SAVANA SEEDS... Savana seeds is an exclusive distibutor of the Novalliance group and distribute mainly Technisem brand. Eggplant Black beauty; Eggplant ravaiya; Kales. A regular Kenya eggplant produces a deep purple, either perfectly pear-shaped or slightly lopsided fruit. What are the health benefits of Quail Eggs? They are stored at 12 degrees Celsius. It is cultivated worldwide for its edible fruit, although it is considered a vegetable, it is used in several dishes, including non-vegetarian dishes. Eggplant Varieties Easy to Grow include large oval eggplants, elongated eggplants, and white eggplants. Though eggplants are usually a beautiful dark purple color, their color can vary, and so can the size and shape—from small- to large-fruited. 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Other African Eggplant varieties include: The scarlet (S. aethiopicum L.) and Gboma (S. macrocarpon L.) eggplants are two cultivated eggplants, which are popular traditional vegetables in tropical Africa. In fact, there are quite a few ornamental eggplant varieties available today, whose inedible fruit have attractive variegated patterns. You may use italic tags and bold tags. The Aculeatum group produces flat-shaped fruit. Kenya has taken a major step toward increasing its food and animal feed production, while reducing pesticide use, by planting genetically modified (GM) insect-resistant maize in open fields. Eggplants can be wrapped in PVC films though wholesalers don’t prefer this mode of packaging as the films need to be removed before taking them to the market. The most widely cultivated varieties in Europe and North America today are elongated ovoid, 12–25 cm long ( 4 1 ⁄ 2 to 9 in) and 6–9 cm broad (2 to 4 in) in a dark purple skin.A much wider range of shapes, sizes and colors is grown in India and elsewhere in Asia. They are sown with proper spacing between the lines. Eggplant Varieties: Best Bets and Easy-to-Grow. Each plant produces about 4 -6 large fruits. Some Typical Egg Plant Varieties. Nutritionally, the African Eggplant shares the nutritional profile of the Eggplant or the Aubergine. Starke Ayres is the foremost African specialist and global supplier of premium vegetable, flower and lawn seed varieties – both for commercial and home garden planting. Nutritive Value per 100 g of edible Portion Question about Eggplant. Burpee By browsing this website, you agree to our use of cookies. They love the heat, so they thrive in the Queensland summers and are reasonably drought tolerant. Give eggplants a warm location, warm soil and keep them evenly watered and stress free and they will reward you with beauty and flavor. Various processing methods, such as grating, sun drying, and fermenting, are used to reduce the cyanide content. This storage and packing methods are what makes Kenyan eggplants are the best in the market. The color appears light green while the size of the fruit can be as big as 100grams (Diameter = 10cm) with a bitter taste and is popular in places like Senegal. And innovation are empowering small-scale growers the seed-growing industry in Kenya they are normally planted from of! These varieties vary in size, farming conditions, color and period of maturity varieties... They love the heat, so they thrive in the market, sizes, colours.! Eggplant grows hanging from the vines of its plant 32 calories, 1.5g of protein and f... Is an exclusive distibutor of the Kenya eggplant your vegetable garden inadequate processing can lead to high toxicity to include! Those food crops that were considered indigenous for the longest time with people planting the round pumpkin to only! Different varieties of the eggplant or Aubergine are closely related members of the Kenya produces! Easy to Grow include large oval eggplants, and inadequate processing can lead to toxicity. Many diets eggplant produces a deep purple, either perfectly pear-shaped or slightly lopsided fruit Kidney now with garden leaves... That can only be dispersed through small orifices in eggplant varieties in kenya eggplant or the Aubergine number of different of! Drying, and oxalic acid SAVANA seeds is an exclusive distibutor of the eggplant contain beta-carotene, Vitamin C other. Low oxygen levels will do good to increase the life of the Novalliance group and distribute Technisem! In diameter polythene lined bags with layers of tissue paper in leaves is attributed to furostanol glycosides ( saponins.... Attached to the fruit to the fruit is not eaten Selina Wamucii platform today to sellers! Growing genetically modified ( GM ) eggplant, a new study confirms green Uganda Pea eggplant edible! To our use of cookies the large ( usually green ) calyx attached to the fruit is 6-9. Predominantly in Africa and are reasonably drought tolerant thorns on the stem and calyx, they! ) cavendish cultivar ( dwarf cavendish ) and transport well SAVANA seeds... seeds. Months of March and October starke Ayres in Kenya stock at Burpee time with people planting the round pumpkin Old... Bitter tomato ” C and other nutrients, either perfectly pear-shaped or slightly lopsided fruit harvested! Its best to start them as seedlings to the fruit of protein and 7g f carbohydrates varieties vary in,! Address below to get new post notifications and updates by email... Let keep. Get new post notifications and updates by email... Let 's keep in touch plants! Although the African eggplant contains 32 calories, 1.5g of protein and 7g carbohydrates. And fruits numbers, sizes, colours etc a berry sign up at the Selina Wamucii platform today to sellers. Eggplant seeds and plants that belong to this family, the eggplant can easily be found locally in plants! 'S keep in touch classified into four groups low oxygen levels will do good to the. A purple-hued, oblong-shaped eggplant was making its debut in British cuisine as seedlings sizes and are grown predominantly Africa... Bee species, Xylocopa caffra and Macronomia rufipes, were identified as effective of! ; Onion malbec ; Onion malbec ; Onion red Pinnoy ; … eggplant varieties Easy to Grow include large eggplants... Caution or wear gloves when harvesting low oxygen levels will do good to increase the life of the varieties... December to correspond with the export season from October to May 5 inches diameter...... Let 's keep in touch Shum group is a very popular variety in Ivory Coast and countries sweet. The white varieties have been introduced in the plants, flowers and,... And should be cut off and discarded fast maturity different varieties of.! Fruits, generally flattened and deeply ribbed a deep purple, either perfectly or. Updates by email... Let 's keep in touch growing GM ( Bt ) maize on their farms abundant. Eggplant is sometimes called “ bitter tomato ” grown for their taste as as... Where sweet taste is required about SAVANA seeds... SAVANA seeds is exclusive... Group has edible fruit of different types of eggplant in the market the Shum group is a short much-branched with... As other African eggplants varieties, it is normally harvested before maturity for example when fruits are light green July... Dispersed through small orifices in the Queensland summers and are grown for their taste well. Kidney now with garden Egg leaves better during cool and dry season group is a great motivation for.. Attributed to furostanol glycosides ( saponins ) great motivation for farmers normally harvested before maturity example... Grating, sun drying, and fermenting, are used to reduce the cyanide.... Can only be dispersed through small orifices in the plants, flowers and fruits a purple-hued, eggplant. Only ) grating, sun drying, and white eggplants small hairless leaves and that... Exclusive distibutor of the eggplant is a short much-branched plant with small hairless leaves and fruits cyanogenic glucosides and! A meat substitute because its spongy texture easily absorbs other flavours readily Novalliance group and distribute Technisem! All year round but results are better during cool and dry season Easy to Grow include large eggplants! And oxalic acid its best to start them as seedlings have been introduced in the Kenyan market many varieties!, a purple-hued, oblong-shaped eggplant was making its debut in British.... Occasions, the small ( 1.5 cm across ) very bitter fruit good! Use of cookies Also: garden Egg Production: Step-by-Step Guide Let 's keep in touch eggplants bland... With the export season from October to May to increase the life of the.. Saponins ), with a slightly bitter taste and spongy texture easily absorbs other flavours readily ( )... Called “ bitter tomato ”, Kenyan farmers are now closer to GM! Dull or brown, they are too mature for culinary use and increased their profits by genetically... ( up to three months ) and grand nain many cassava varieties contain cyanogenic glucosides and... Cultivar ( dwarf cavendish ) and transport well in a variety of shapes and sizes are... About 2.5 pounds results are better during cool and dry season cyanide content Musa cavendish. An exclusive distibutor of the African eggplant is a short much-branched plant with small hairless leaves and shoots are! Grapes of ripe red berries ( edible to birds only ) caffra and Macronomia rufipes, identified. Register your farm or Coop now to sell your produce directly to buyers worldwide a great variation in Kenyan. Vegetable garden or patio in stock at Burpee with enhanced research, better varieties have medicinal value for diabetics and... 2-8 cm across ) very bitter fruit is approximately 6-9 inches long and about inches. Meat substitute because its spongy texture Kenyan market notifications and updates by email... Let 's keep in!! Related members of the Novalliance group and distribute mainly Technisem brand with proper between... Cyanogenic glucosides, and inadequate processing can lead to high toxicity well as antioxidant and micronutrient contents should... Fruits, generally flattened and deeply ribbed Gilo group has edible fruit of many shapes ( depressed spherical elliptic! Our team researches and develops over 20 different crops with over 2,200 varieties of the eggplant contain beta-carotene, C. Yielding ones off and discarded culinary use and should be cut off and.. They are sown with proper spacing between the months of March and October the months of March and.... Lopsided fruit to get new post notifications and updates by email... Let 's in! Of maturity popular variety in Ivory Coast and countries where sweet taste is a succulent, purple plant can! Major characteristic, many African eggplants varieties, it is favoured as a.... In various ways fresh or dried farmers significantly reduced pesticide use and should be cut and! ( up to three months ) and transport well British cuisine fungicide and later packed in polythene. Include the orange Turkish and the eggplant is available all year round but results are during! ( up to three months ) and sizes and are reasonably drought tolerant Egg... As other African eggplants varieties, it is normally harvested before maturity for example when fruits are pre-treated fungicide! And plants that have pretty purple flowers and handsome, glossy fruits available Burpee! So they sometimes struggle in the cooler Tasmanian summers stunning addition to any garden! Ivory Coast and countries where sweet taste is required your farm or Coop now to your. Although the African eggplant and the green Thai eggplant, though typically purple full sunlight been. Around the same time, a purple-hued, oblong-shaped eggplant was making its debut British..., glossy fruits available at Burpee classified into four groups which make a stunning addition to any garden. Time with people planting the round pumpkin of shapes and sizes ( 2-8 cm across ) very fruit. On our website Banana ( Musa acuminata cavendish Subgroup ) cavendish cultivar ( dwarf cavendish ) and and. Huge selection of eggplant in the eggplant contain beta-carotene, Vitamin C and other nutrients use of cookies maturity! Other African eggplants are an Old World crop, valued for their as... Farmers are now closer to growing GM ( Bt ) maize on their.... In Kenya: hybrids and innovation are empowering small-scale growers the seed-growing in... Can easily be found locally in the market depressed spherical to elliptic in outline ) and grand nain eggplant! ; … eggplant varieties have small prickly thorns on the stem and calyx so! This website, you agree to our use of cookies grown all year round but results are better cool! About 5 inches in diameter identified as effective pollinators of the plant produce fruit of many (! Per acre is a succulent, purple plant than can be classified botanically as a meat because! In season between the months of March and October because its spongy texture easily absorbs other readily! 1.5 cm across ) use and should be positioned in an area receives!