Abstract
Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) plug seedlings were stored for 3 weeks at 9°C air temperature and photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 0 (darkness), 2, 8, or 16μmol m-2s-1. The seedlings stored for 3 weeks in darkness or under 2μmol m-2s-1 PPFD reduced dry weight, while those under 8 or 16μmol m-2s-1 PPFD increased dry weight. The light compensation point of seedlings before storage was 8μmol m-2s-1 PPFD and it decreased to 4-5ymol m-2s-1 PPFD after storage regardless of PPFD in storage. All the plantlets stored under light survived at transplanting and grew successfully after storage. Dark storage lowered the photosynthetic capacity and, thus, lowered percent survival at transplanting and post-storage growth rate. For keeping seedlings at no-growth status and preventing quality degradation, it would be required to store the seedlings under conditions where they have null CO2 exchange rates throughout the storage period.
