Plant histories
The history behind a number of crop plants.
Looking at where they originated, their domestication, the introduction of these crops to Europe, how European attitudes to them changed over the centuries and ultimately how our changing demands have influenced the plants themselves.
How the eggplant has changed
There is a big difference between modern eggplants and the wild varieties from India, southeast Asia and Africa. Now a large variety of eggplants are available — from the dark purple teardrop ones, to pink and white stripy Italian eggplant and long, skinny Chinese eggplant.
The main changes to the fruit which have resulted from many years of plant breeding include a much better tasting fruit, often much bigger fruit, lots of different colours and sizes, and also a much higher yield (more fruit per plant).
Eggplants growing in a research facility.
Photographer: sanctumsolitude. Copyright: CC
However, the changes to the eggplant have not been for all the best. Plant breeders now realise that wild eggplant (so bitter it is almost inedible for humans) is rarely attacked by pests, yet the domesticated varieties are susceptible to attack from a variety of pests. Wild eggplants also tend to be more drought resistant than the commonly cultivated varieties. Plant breeders are looking closely at the qualities of the wild relatives of eggplant to try to enhance resistance to pests and disease in the domesticated varieties but, at the same time, maintain the delicious taste.
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