Eggplant Problems

Pests and Diseases

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How to Grow Eggplant

Varieties of Eggplant

Pests

 

Root Knot  Nematodes are microscopic worms that infect plants and cause swelling on the roots and stems, and small knots on the roots . When infected, the plants will wilt. Garlic as a companion not only repels vampires and the opposite sex but is said to repel nematodes as well. Crop rotation is also vital in avoiding nematodes. Once infested Predator Nematodes will control the populations of parasitic nematodes.

 

Aphids are Yellowish-pink to pale green plant lice that suck plant juices. They are a soft-bodied, oval/pear shaped insect and are commonly found on nearly all varieties of plants, vegetables, field crops, and fruit trees. [Images]  Hot Pepper Wax repels bugs from your plants, fruits and flowers. 100% natural spray uses pepper extract and wax to effectively discourage pests. Helps to reduce stress on cuttings.

 

Beetles Colorado Potato Beetle,  Flea beetle

 

Mites   Tomato Russet Mite, Spider Mites

 

Common Eggplant Diseases

 

Verticillium Wilt

 Verticillium wilt starts with a general or blotchy yellowing of the lower leaves and a wilting of youngest shoots in direct sunlight. At first, the wilted shoots may recover over night. The leaf veins turn brown, followed by shoots browning and lower leaf drop. Leaves higher up on the plant turn dull green in color and the edges curl upwards. Plants are stunted and defoliated with only the growing tips remaining green. The fruits are small and may sunscald. The branches tend to be less erect than those of healthy plants, giving Verticillium-infected plants a prostrate appearance. When the stem is cut open, the the water conductive plant tissues may be brownish near the soil line.
 

 

Blossom-end rot, as depicted in the above illustration,  can be caused by a calcium deficiency and occurs frequently on acid soils or during stress periods on soils with seemingly sufficient calcium.

Blossom end rot. This disorder occurs as a slight discoloration or a severe dark sunken lesion at the blossom end; it is caused by temporary insufficiencies of water and calcium and may occur under high temperature conditions when the peppers are rapidly growing. Recommended treatment Blossom-End Rot Control Soil rot, is caused by the a soil-borne fungus and generally occurs during rainy periods. A soft brown rot develops, usually on the sides of fruits touching the ground, or where soil is splashed onto them. The spots are sunken, large, and may have a closely-spaced bulls eye pattern . Sometimes the eggplant cracks open. Staking will reduce soil rot by keeping fruit away from the ground. Phytophthora Blight  -[Image] Avoid water-logged root zones - Grow eggplant in well drained fields. Planting on raised beds will increase soil drainage. Water management is of primary importance for controlling Phytophthora blight. Rotate infested fields with other non-host crops for several years Phytophthora blight attacks the roots, stems, leaves, and fruit.  An unsuspecting grower will  first encounter the disease at mid-season. Sudden wilting and death occurs as the plants reach the fruiting stage   Often a number of plants in a row or in a roughly circular pattern will show  symptoms at the same time. See: Cornell University Phytophthora Blight of Cucurbits, Pepper, Tomato, and Eggplant

Disease problems can be greatly Reduced with a combination of practices that include:

See Also

• Vegetable Disease Identification: Penn State University

• Cornell - Eggplant Disease Fact Sheet

• Old House Web- Eggplant Diseases