Optimized 24-Epibrassinolide Application Enhances morpho-physiological traits and Yield in Eggplant (Solanum melongena L. var Aretussa)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Horticulture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

2 Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

3 Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, Iran

4 Department of Plant Biochemistry and Toxicology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland

Abstract
Epibrassinolide (EBL) regulate plant development and environmental stress responses through complex signaling networks, yet optimization of exogenous 24-Epibrassinolide (EBL) application for commercial vegetable production remains underexplored. We investigated dose- and frequency-dependent effects of foliar 24-epibrassinolide (0, 0.5, and 0.75 μM) applied once (AR1) or twice (AR2) on eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) physiological performance, growth, and yield in a 3 × 2 factorial completely randomized design. Eggplant seeds were sown in a cocopeat and perlite growing medium at a ratio of 3:1 and the seedlings were watered daily in greenhouse. Foliar spraying was done in two stages before transplanting (four-leaf stage) in greenhouse and before flowering in farm. After the first foliar spray, the Eggplant seedlings were transplanted to the field and the plants were irrigated every three days throughout the growth period. Optimal EBL treatment (0.75 μM × AR2) elicited coordinated enhancement of photosynthetic capacity and membrane integrity. Chlorophyll metabolism was substantially upregulated, with SPAD values increasing 43%, total chlorophyll content rising 33.3%, and carotenoid accumulation elevated 82.7% compared to controls. Concurrently, cellular membrane stability improved markedly, evidenced by 43% reduction in electrolyte leakage. These physiological modifications translated into accelerated developmental progression 20.7–32.9% increase in vegetative growth and 17.8–21.7% advancement in flowering time culminating in approximately a two-fold increase in yield under the optimal regimen. Our findings demonstrate that strategic EBL application synchronously increased photosynthetic capacity and cellular homeostasis, establishing dual-spray 24-epibrassinolide treatment as an efficacious biostimulant strategy for Solanaceae crop intensification. Elucidating the underlying molecular pathways particularly EBL receptor dynamics and downstream transcriptional cascades—represents a critical next step for optimizing this approach across diverse genotypes and environmental conditions.

Keywords


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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 16 May 2026

  • Receive Date 01 March 2026
  • Revise Date 30 April 2026
  • Accept Date 09 May 2026
  • First Publish Date 16 May 2026
  • Publish Date 16 May 2026