Seedless Eggplant Varieties

Identification

• Seedless eggplant varieties are produced on a plant that has not undergone fertilization. Scientifically known as parthenocarpy, the process can occur naturally as a mutation, or artificially in cases such as genetic modification. Seedless eggplant varieties include Orient Express, Neon and Gretel. Orient Express eggplants have dark purple or black skin and typically take approximately 58 days to reach maturity. They yield slender fruits between 8 and 10 inches in length. Neon is an Asian variety that produces eggplants approximately 8 inches in length, with lavender-rose colored skin. Gretel is a small, white eggplant. Plants grow up to 3 feet tall and wide, yielding small clusters of eggplants that are between 3 and 4 inches long.

Genetically Modified or Engineer Varieties

• Consumers may be interested in knowing that Italian researchers successfully created seedless eggplants by introducing a gene that increased eggplants' indole acetic acid (IAA), a plant hormone. Increased IAA levels stimulate plants to develop fruit such as eggplants without the flowers being fertilized. The resulting eggplants were seedless and the modified plants yielded more abundant crops. The use of genetic modification in the food industry is controversial, as many researchers are unsure of long-term ramifications and potential health risks.

  Commercial agricultural practices may also include genetic engineering to produce seedless eggplants. In these cases, farmers treat the eggplant’s flowers with phytohormones such as gibberellin, cytokinins or auxin before the plant’s flowers are pollinated. This regulates the fertilization process and yields seedless eggplants.

Benefits and Uses

• Consumers frequently prefer seedless eggplants due to a more consistent texture of the flesh. Additionally, eggplants that do not have seeds are less likely to become brown when cut or have the pulp’s texture degraded. The presence of seeds produces naturally occurring substances in the eggplant; these substances decrease the eggplant’s shelf life, making them deteriorate more quickly than seedless eggplants.

How to Grow

• Unless you live in a very warm climate such as United States Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 9 or 10, with average minimum temperatures above 20 degrees Fahrenheit, you will need to grow eggplant as an annual. Gardeners should wait to plant eggplant until nightly temperatures are consistently above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow 18 inches of space between plants. Place in an area with full sunlight -- preferably one with southern exposure, which closely mimics the warm, humid climates that the plant prefers. Water every one to three days, providing the plant with a minimum of 1 inch of water per week. Harvest eggplants before the skin loses its shine. To test the fruit for ripeness, press it with your finger. If the skin bounces back, it is ready to be picked.