agronom.info agronomy portal
Reference · Crops

Solanaceae

426 sections — choose below or search on the left.

Main sections

Solanum49 Calibrachoa Cerv.9 Sweet Pepper8 Brugmansia6 Cestrum4 Anthocercis3 Brugmansia Pers.3 Calibrachoa3 Cyphomandra3 Datura3 Anisodus2 Athenaea2 Browallia2 Brunfelsia L.2 Cacabus2 Chamaesaracha2 Acnistus1 Atropa L.1 Atropanthe1 Benthamiella1
426 sections

Results

Solanum Solanum L. 49 items Acnistus Acnistus 1 item Bladder cherry Alkekengi officinarum Anisodus Anisodus 2 items Anthocercis Anthocercis 3 items Athenaea Athenaea 2 items Atropa L. Atropa L. 1 item Atropa acuminata Atropa acuminata Atropa baetica Atropa baetica Atropa pallidiflora Atropa pallidiflora Atropanthe Atropanthe 1 item Benthamiella Benthamiella 1 item Bouchetia Bouchetia 1 item Browallia Browallia 2 items Browallia americana Browallia americana Browallia hybrids Browallia hybrids Brugmansia Brugmansia 6 items Brugmansia Pers. Brugmansia Pers. 3 items Brunfelsia L. Brunfelsia L. 2 items Brunfelsia americana Brunfelsia americana Brunfelsia australis Brunfelsia australis Brunfelsia brasiliensis Brunfelsia brasiliensis Brunfelsia grandiflora Brunfelsia grandiflora Brunfelsia lactea Brunfelsia lactea Brunfelsia pauciflora Brunfelsia pauciflora Brunfelsia uniflora Brunfelsia uniflora Cacabus Cacabus 2 items Calibrachoa Calibrachoa 3 items Calibrachoa Cerv. Calibrachoa Cerv. 9 items Sweet Pepper Capsicum L. 8 items Cardenas pepper Capsicum cardenasii Chacoense pepper Capsicum chacoense Galapagos pepper Capsicum galapagoense Pepper hybrids Capsicum hybrids Cestrum Cestrum 4 items Cestrum alternifolium Cestrum alternifolium Cestrum auriculatum Cestrum auriculatum Cestrum buxifolium Cestrum buxifolium Cestrum calycinum Cestrum calycinum Cultivated Cestrum Cestrum cultum Day-blooming jessamine Cestrum diurnum Cestrum elegans Cestrum elegans Cestrum endlicheri Cestrum endlicheri Cestrum fasciculatum Cestrum fasciculatum Cestrum hediundinum Cestrum hediundinum Cestrum Cestrum hybrids Cestrum intermedium Cestrum intermedium Cestrum laevigatum Cestrum laevigatum Cestrum latifolium Cestrum latifolium Cestrum macrophyllum Cestrum macrophyllum Pale cestrum Cestrum pallidum Cestrum pedicellatum Cestrum pedicellatum Pink Cestrum Cestrum roseum Cestrum strigillatum Cestrum strigillatum Chamaesaracha Chamaesaracha 2 items Cyphanthera Cyphanthera 1 item Cyphomandra Cyphomandra 3 items Datura Datura 3 items Angel's Trumpet Datura cornigera Desert thornapple Datura discolor

Solanaceae

The Solanaceae (Nightshade) family represents one of the most economically significant plant families in global agriculture. This group includes staple crops such as potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. These plants are characterized by a diverse range of growth forms, spanning from annual herbs to woody shrubs, all playing a vital role in human nutrition.

Originating primarily in the Americas, these crops have been domesticated and distributed worldwide over the past several centuries. They are now cultivated across a wide range of climates, though they are primarily warm-season crops that require frost-free periods to reach full maturity and maximize yields effectively.

Botanically, members of the Solanaceae family are recognized by their alternate leaves and typically five-petaled flowers, which are often star-shaped. The fruit structures vary, ranging from fleshy berries to dry capsules. Agronomically, the presence of specific alkaloids, such as solanine, is a defining trait that influences plant physiology and breeding objectives.

Optimal growth for nightshade crops depends on well-drained, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. They require significant amounts of sunlight and consistent moisture levels throughout the growing season. Proper site selection and crop rotation are essential practices to manage soil health and prevent the buildup of soil-borne pathogens that thrive on these specific hosts.

In industrial and small-scale farming, management of diseases like late blight and pests such as the Colorado potato beetle is critical. Farmers employ a combination of cultural practices, biological controls, and chemical applications to protect their yields. Continuous research in breeding resistant varieties remains the primary strategy for ensuring sustainable production within this valuable family.

  • Requires intensive nutrient management for optimal fruit set.
  • High sensitivity to extreme heat and prolonged cold spells.
  • Strategic use of trellis systems for vining varieties like tomatoes.