Abstract
The effects of temperature on pollen germination and daytime heating on the number of seeds, yield and quality of fruits were examined in eggplant ‘Senryo’ forcing culture during the winter season. Incubation at 25°C for more than one hour effectively promoted the pollen germination rate and pollen tube elongation on agar culture. The number of seeds, fruit yield and quality of after artificial pollination were significantly higher in the green house heating at 25°C for 3 h from 11:00 to 14:00. Pollination using bumblebees during one hour of daytime heating did not increase total fruit yield, but slightly raised fruit quality. These results indicate that pollination during daytime heating is effective in increasing fertility and fruit yield in eggplant forcing culture during the winter season.
