INTRODUCTION
Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is grown as one of
the important fruit vegetable crops in Nigeria
(Thompson and Kelly 1977). It is grown for its fruits
which are utilized as vegetables to contribute to the
essential nutrients in our diet (Norman, 1974; Langer
and Hill, 1976; Siemonsma, 1981).
Fruit yield in eggplant is dependent on a number of
factors which include flowering (anthesis), pests and
diseases infection, soil nutrient status (soil fertility)
and the course of fertilizer application (Huth and
Pellmyr, 1977).