Integrating grafting and vermicompost for the sustainable management of drought in eggplant cultivation

In the context of climate change, drought increasingly threatens global food security. Developing sustainable and environmentally friendly practices to mitigate yield and quality losses has become imperative. This study evaluates the combined effects of vermicompost (VC) and grafted rootstocks on eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) performance under water stress in both greenhouse and field conditions. In the greenhouse experiment, grafted (G) and non-grafted plants were grown in pots amended with 0, 1, 2, and 3% VC and subjected to three irrigation regimes (100%, 70%, and 30% of field capacity). The field trial involved the application of 2% VC under control (1.00 Epan), mild (0.70 Epan), and severe drought stress (0.30 Epan) conditions. The ‘G x VC’ combination improved yield under drought in both greenhouse and field, especially under severe stress. Grafted plants treated with VC showed enhanced total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and flavonoid accumulation.Vermicompost also contributed to enhanced soil properties such as water retention, infiltration, and aggregate stability. These results suggest that integrating grafted seedlings with vermicompost application offers a viable strategy to improve eggplant productivity and nutritional quality under drought stress, contributing to resilient and sustainable horticultural systems. This study provides a foundation for developing environmentally friendly drought management strategies with practical potential.