Summary
Eggplant (Solanum melongena), commonly known as aubergine in British English and brinjal in South Asia, is a member of the nightshade family Solanaceae, cultivated for its edible fruit, which is often purple. This plant species has a rich history of domestication, primarily in the Old World, and is a significant vegetable crop in countries like India, Japan, and the USA. Eggplant exhibits great morphological diversity and is categorized into three botanical varieties based on fruit shape: round, long slender, and small miniature types. Cultivation focuses on breeding for high yield, quality, disease resistance, and consumer-preferred traits, while also addressing issues like solanine toxicity and pest resistance. Notable pests include the eggplant fruit borer, and breeding methods include pureline selection and