Consisting of ten harvests, the total production of P1 hybrids was 37% higher than control C1 eggplants (Table 2). The difference in total yield between P1 and control C1 hybrids was statistically significant and due both to the higher number of fruits/plant and to the increased weight of GM fruits. It is noteworthy to point out that when considered individually, neither trait (number of fruits/plant or fruit weight) showed statistically significant differences between the GM and untransformed plants (Table 2). Although higher in P10 hybrids in comparison to its control C10, the total yield (the number and average weight of the fruits) was not significantly different between the two. During the whole harvesting period, fruits from both P1 and P10 parthenocarpic hybrids were always seedless (Fig. 2), whilst control fruits always had seeds. Therefore, under open field cultivation, the DefH9-iaaM gene had a positive influence on fruit quality, as GM DefH9-iaaM fruits were always seedless. Fruit quality affects the economic value of eggplant production.