Abstract
The effects of basal stem and root zone heating with different heating times and durations on the growth of primary shoots and lateral branches and roots, and on transpiration and photosynthesis were investigated in forcing culture of eggplant. Basal stem heating accelerated the growth of lateral branches and increased their number. Transpiration and photosynthesis rates of the leaves and amount of nutrient solution uptake increased by both basal stem and root zone heating as compared with the control. Growth habits differed by the heating positions: basal stem heating promoted the growth of lateral branches and root zone heating promoted that of primary shoots and roots. The longer the heating duration, the more the lateral branches grew. The heating time did not affect the growth of lateral branches when the heating duration was the same.
