Week 1 Summary:
Week 1 focused on planning for the coming quarter and drafting contracts for ILC’s (Independent Learning Contracts). We also took notes on the growth of eggplant varieties and pictures to help monitor and compare progress over time.
(Pictures and more in progress:)
Week 1 Research/Reading:
Solanum aethiopicum: The Nutrient-Rich Vegetable Crop with Great Economic, Genetic Biodiversity and Pharmaceutical Potential
Selection of candidate varieties of garden egg (Solanum aethiopicum) in an on-station trial using multi-disciplinary approach (magnascientiapub.com)
Specialty Eggplant Trials 2010-2012 (ct.gov)
Specialty Eggplant Trials 2010-2012 (ct.gov)
On Farm Variety Trials: Designing a Replicated Variety Trial – The Land Connection
Growers-guide-on-farm-variety-trials(seedalliance.org)
Planning and Establishing On-Farm Field Trials (researchgate.net)
Purdue University Department of Agronomy
Week 2 Summary:
During week 2 we measured and recorded our emergence data in the graph below:
As shown by the data we had overall a very successful emergence rate when it came to our eggplant varieties, unfortunately parts of the emergent eggplants were eaten by mice at the farm causing some to lose parts of their initial leaves/sprout. My main goal for the following week 3 is to firmly choose my research topic for this quarters literature review.
Research for this Week:
Biology of Brinjal (Indian Gov)
Lost Crops of Africa: Volume 2 Vegetables – National Research Council
Eggplant orgins: Out of Africa, Into the Orient
How and why to measure the germination process – Marli A. Ranal, Denise Garcia de Santana
Week 3 Summary
In week 3 we repotted and measured our control group that consisted of Orient Express Asian Eggplants, overall the eggplants had great growth as is shown in the data graph on our main document. We proceeded to take measurements of their vigor my measuring the length between the base to apical meristem, base to first true leaves, circumference, and the length and width of its true leaves.
-Graph to be inserted here once finished-
Literature Review:
I have also decided my research questions shall be: How did the topical climate and agricultural environment allow Gilo Eggplant to thrive in Africa?
Research for the Week:
How to Grow Jilo in Connecticut by Abigail A. Maynard and David E. Hill.
Solanum aethiopicum: The Nutrient-Rich Vegetable Crop with Great Economic, Genetic Biodiversity and Pharmaceutical Potential by Mei Han ,Kwadwo N. Opoku, Nana A. B. Bissah, and Tao Su.
Heat and salinity stress on the African eggplant F1 Djamba, a Kumba cultivar by Noemie David-Rogeat, Martin R. Broadley, and Eleftheria Stavridou
Basic Growth Analysis by Roderick Hunt.
Week 4 Summary:
In week 4 we repotted all 4 of our Gilo Eggplant varieties, measuring length from base to apical meristem, length from base to first true leaves, circumference, and width and height of its true leaves. If there was more than one true leaf we averaged the numbers. The African varieties of Gilo seem to currently be doing the best.
Lit. Review:
I have started looking into the ideal climate and other agricultural factors for Gilo found in Africa, I have also found a lot of information about how Africa is adapting to climate change.
Research for the Week:
Plant Village African Eggplant
Garden Egg World Crops
Pest Risk Assessment of African Leucinodes for the EU by Claude Bragard, Paula Baptista, Elisavet Chatzivassiliou, Francesco Di Serio, and many more. (Linked in Bio)
Image by Sarah Dyer.
Week 5 Summary:
During week 5 we changed our variables for measurements on the eggplants and remeasured them. We changed our measurements to length from base to apical meristem, width and length of largest unfurled true leaf, diameter, and leaf area. Our group also set the goal to update our WordPress sites before 5-10-2024.
Lit. Review:
This week my research focused on optimal water and nitrogen quality for growing Gilo Eggplant in Africa and optimal amount for production.
Research for this Week:
Optimizing water and nitrogen application for neglected horticultural species in tropical sub-humid climate areas: A case of African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) by Paul Reuben Mwinuka, Boniface P. Mbilinyi, Winfred B. Mbungu, Sixbert K. Mourice, Henry F. Mahoo, and Petra Schmitter
Climate change and small-scale agriculture in Africa: Does indigenous knowledge matter? Insights from Kenya and South Africa by Amos Apraku, John F. Morton, and Benjamin Apraku Gyampoh:
Indigenous Crop Production: The Versatile African Eggplant by African Farming
Image by Sarah Dyer.
Week 6 Summary:
During week 6 we continued research on “Gilo” in the PNW. While doing this I focused on looking into research on how the soil we were using would effect the eggplant in comparison to where the plant is normally grown. This would mainly focus on difference in clay levels and temperature.
Lit Review:
This week my literature review focused on different ways eggplant is prepared in southern regions of Africa.
Research for the Week:
The Functional Nutritional Value and the Health Benefits of Consuming Eggplant Published by University of Oradea and Ienciu, A., Bei, M., Cărbunar, M., Cărbunar, M., & Vidican, O. (2022).
Marketing underutilized crops: The case of the African garden egg (Solanum aethiopicum) in Ghana by Gruère, G., & Timpo
Week 7 Summary:
During week 7 we started field prep in order to get our soil ready for the eggplants by getting measurements and starting to setup irrigation. We began this process by weeding the field and then turning over the soil. Following that we plan to apply fertilizer to help increase nitrogen levels along with other nutrients.
Lit. Review:
This week my literature review worked was focused on planning out the beginnings of my formatting and the ordering of my main topics, while also begging my writing.
Research for the Week:
Determinants of food security among people from refugee backgrounds resettled in high-income countries: A systematic review and thematic synthesis by Gingell, T., Murray, K., Correa-Velez, I., & Gallegos, D. (2022)
Temperature and Light Effects on Germination Behavior of African Eggplant (Solanum Aethiopicum L.) Seeds.” by H.M. Botey, J.O. Ochuodho, L. Ngode, H. Dwamena, and Osei-Tutu1
Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Plant Growth and Fruit Yield as Affected by Drip Irrigation Rate by Díaz-Pérez, J. C., & Eaton, T. E. (2015)
Image by Sarah Dyer.
Week 8 Summary:
During week 8 we continued to work on prepping our field for when we could transfer our eggplants, this week mainly focused on fixing nutrient levels and triple checking measurements for the field.
Lit. Review:
This week my literature review work focused on the main written body for my literature review draft.
Research for the Week:
The availability of culturally preferred fruits, vegetables and whole grains in corner stores and non-traditional food stores. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health by Hearst, M. O., Yang, J., Friedrichsen, S., Lenk, K., Caspi, C., & Laska, M. N. (2021).
The sweetness of bitter brinjal (Solanum gilo Raddi): An underutilized vegetable of North Eastern Himalayas. By Lalhmingsanga, Pandey, A.K, Angami, T., & Chhetri, A. (2018)
Solanum aethiopicum gr. gilo and its interspecific hybrid with s. melongena as alternative rootstocks for eggplant: Effects on vigor, yield, and fruit physicochemical properties of cultivar ′Scarlatti′. By Sabatino, Iapichino, Rotino, Palazzolo, Mennella, & D’Anna. (2019).
Week 9 Summary:
During week 9, we finished out preparation of the field for planting on 6-3-2024 by fully setting up and bury the plastic in the field, as well as setting up the drip tape irrigation system for the Field Trial.
I focused on drafting up our Vigor Data paper for the end of the quarter this week so that I would be ready to focus on that when our last data set was collected.
Lit. Review:
This week I worked on finishing my main body paragraphs and my conclusion for the 1st full draft of my review, I also started working on my introduction and abstract.
Research for the Week:
I replenished my ANOVA knowledge in excel so that I would be ready to do so next week.
Image by Oonaugh Foster-Bill.
Week 10 Summary:
This week we got our eggplants into the ground and presented our research so far to multiple Professors and Peers.
Lit Review:
This week I finished my first main draft of my literature review for assessment and information on what I need to work on.
Below is a picture of the eggplants being put into the field
Image by Sarah Dyer.
Image by Emmerson Gregorio.