Family: Solanaceae
Botanical Name: Solanum melongina L

Egg plant or brinjal (Solanum melongina) is a hardy plant compared to other vegetables grown in Sri-Lanka. Because of its hardiness, it can be successfully grown in very dry areas under rain-fed conditions or with minimum irrigation facilities. It covers second large extent after curry banana. Egg plant can be kept for more than one year in production by pruning at the end of the harvesting season. The fruit colour varies from pure white to dark purple or black in different varieties.

This crop can be grown through out the year in all Agro-climatic regions except up country-wet zone. Grows well up to an elevation of about 1300m in low country wet zone, Intermediate, up country intermediate and dry zone. Eggplant is tolerant to drought. Well drain, light soils with a pH of 5.5-5.8 are more suitable for the cultivation of brinjal.