Comparative Analysis of the Productivity of Some Eggplant Genotypes

Climate variability and biotic stresses pose severe threats to eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) production in Romania, with temperature extremes, soil salinity, and pests like Verticillium wilt and aphids reducing yields by 20–30%, eroding food security and export potential in the temperate-continental climate. This vulnerability underscores the need for germplasm diversification, blending indigenous resilience with hybrid innovations to enable sustainable, high-output systems across open-field, greenhouse, and solarium cultivation, in line with EU Green Deal goals for resilient agriculture. This study addresses these challenges by cataloging and evaluating Romanian cultivars, such as the low-input Luiza variety, alongside imported F1 hybrids including Sharapova F1, Aragon F1, Barcelona F1, Habana F1, and Black Pearl F1, chosen for their vigor, disease tolerance, and desirable market traits like uniform fruit shape and extended shelf life. Methodologically, multi-site trials from 2022–2024 utilized randomized complete block designs in diverse agro-zones, assessing yield (t/ha), pest incidence, and stress responses via simulations (e.g., drought through controlled irrigation deficits). Key findings revealed Luiza's excellence in open fields, delivering 45 t/ha with 85% pest resistance, while hybrids like Barcelona F1 and Black Pearl F1 achieved 60–70 t/ha in protected environments, featuring 95% improved post-harvest durability. rioritizing the incorporation of hybrid cultivars into high-intensity production frameworks, accelerating marker-assisted breeding efforts to enhance the drought and pathogen resistance of native varieties, and deploying policy-backed extension services to cultivate robust climate-adaptive supply chains, thus positioning Romania's eggplant industry as a dominant pillar in the regional agrifood economy.