How to intercrop aubergines

How to intercrop aubergines

The aubergine (Solanum melongena L.) is a plant of the Solanaceae family, cultivated for its edible fruit.
This plant was domesticated from wild species of Solanum incanum, probably with two independent routes: one in southern Asia and one in eastern Asia.
Today it is one of the most cultivated vegetables, consumed in various ways and in many parts of the world.
The aubergine is a spring-summer vegetable that benefits considerably from the intercropping technique.
The aubergine can be associated with various plants that can promote growth and protect it from specific parasites. There are many plants that can be combined with aubergines, among these we report some examples:
– Basil: Basil can improve the flavor of eggplants and can keep aphids away.
– Tomato: Eggplants and tomatoes share similar growing needs and can help each other shade and protect each other from some pests.
– Chilli pepper: Chilli pepper can keep away common aubergine pests, such as aphids and whiteflies.
– Celery: Celery can provide shade to eggplant roots and can repel some harmful insects.
– Garlic: Garlic can help repel mosquitoes and can act as a repellent for other insect pests.
– Beans: Beans can provide nitrogen to the soil, which benefits eggplants, and can also help keep some pests away.
– Onion: Onions can help keep away some species of insects that are harmful to aubergines.
– Spinach: Spinach can protect the soil and roots of eggplants, as well as provide additional nutrients to the soil.
– Lettuce: Lettuce can provide shade for the roots of eggplants and can be planted between rows to make best use of available space.
Furthermore, in some associations more than two plants can be used; for example aubergine, tomato and garlic or aubergine, tomato and beans.
Obviously many choices must be determined and subordinated by the type of soil, the availability of water, etc.