B K Singh, K A Pathak, Y Ramakrishna, V K Verma and B
C Deka
ICAR
News: A Science and Technology Newsletter 16 (3): 5, 2010
Email: bksinghkushinagar@yahoo.co.in
Solanum macrocarpon (African eggplant/
nightshade) commonly known as Satinrem in Mizo language, had originated from the
wetter parts of tropical and subtropical Africa; where wild and cultivated
forms occur. In Indonesia and Malaysia, it is being cultivated from the sea
level to 600 m; and it has been somehow introduced in north-eastern states of
India. It is a glabrous, erect, branched, herbaceous, reaching up to 1.5 m with
blackish-violet stem that is woody at the base. Its flowers are complete,
actinomorphic, hermaphrodite and perfect. Anthesis occurs at about 5-8 AM. Fruits
are light-green when immature and are yellow-brown at maturity. It is
traditionally used as a leafy vegetable by Mizo community. Young leaves are usually
cooked and used in curry, meat and soup. Leaves are first harvested after 50-60
days of transplanting. Its fresh leaves have 4.3%
protein, 0.6% fat, 1.4% crude fibres, 1.3% ash and 89.7% moisture. Morphologically
and biologically Solanum macrocarpon
is very close to brinjal (Solanum
melongena). And this can be used as a genetic
resource for improving agronomic traits in brinjal.
This is a great post on Solanum macrocarpon and its importance in Mizoram’s diet and agro-biology. To maintain healthy leafy vegetables, farmers should consider reliable crop protection solutions—especially during humid conditions when pests and diseases are more active. Thanks for highlighting traditional crops and their nutritional value!
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