Diseases and pests of eggplant: treatment and photo control methods

Eggplants are inherently amazing vegetables. They combine not only taste and universal qualities, but also a number of useful components that are so necessary for human he alth. However, in order to get these fruits on your site, each gardener will have to make a lot of effort. The fact is that there are a large number of eggplant diseases that negatively affect their yield. What are these diseases, for what reasons they occur and how to deal with them, will be described in detail in this article.

Why do eggplants get sick

South Asia is considered the birthplace of eggplant.This region has an eternal summer with bright sun and intense rains. In this regard, this culture is very demanding on heat and needs certain growing conditions. To get a high yield of eggplant in Russia, summer residents will have to make a lot of efforts in agricultural technology and create the most approximate conditions that would correspond to the South Asian climate. If these requirements are not met, the immunity of plants decreases, which contributes to the development of various diseases, which are reflected in the quality and quantity of fruits.

Usually, eggplant suffers from diseases and pests for the following reasons:

• lack of light;
• water scarcity;
• watering with cold water;
• poor air circulation;
• Wrong growing method;
• lack of nutrients in the soil.

If, however, timely care is provided for plants and the source of disease is suppressed, eggplants will be able to restore their strength and bring a decent harvest.

Seedling diseases

There are several types of diseases that can harm eggplants at the stage of their development, that is, seedlings. Moreover, the culprits of their occurrence, in addition to improper care, are contaminated soil or untreated seed material. You can determine the occurrence of diseases by the plants themselves. At the initial stage of infection, the leaves of the seedlings begin to turn yellow. At later stages of infection, the roots of the plants wither, which leads to their death. To avoid these negative consequences, it is important to prepare the soil and seeds before planting when growing eggplant.

Seed Processing:

1. Eggplant seeds are disinfected for 20 minutes. in a strong solution of potassium permanganate.
2. After disinfection, the seeds are washed with cold water.
3. To eliminate essential oils, planting material is doused with boiling water.
4. Seeds are soaked overnight in any eggplant nutrient solution.

After the specified time, the seed material is again well washed in running water and placed on a damp substrate for germination.

In order to disinfect the earth, it will be enough to warm it up with a temperature of +100 degrees, and wash the pots with soap and pour over boiling water.

The above manipulations will serve as a good prophylaxis in preventing the development of diseases. If mistakes are made, the seedlings may experience the following diseases.

Leaf Twisting

Such a pathology as leaf curl in seedlings can occur for several reasons. Most often this is served:

• lack of light;
• waterlogged soil;
• shortage of mineral fertilizers;
• temperature difference;
• pest damage.

You can determine what the problem of leaf curl is by yourself. To do this, unfold the sheet and pay attention to its inner side. If eggs, cobwebs or other signs of insects are observed on it, urgent action is needed.

In pest control, experts recommend abandoning chemicals and using folk remedies. One of the most effective methods is considered a soap solution. To do this, it will be enough to dilute part of the bar of soap in water and process the leaves of the seedlings with the resulting liquid.If no traces of insects have been identified, then the plants will need to create optimal growth conditions. That is, eliminate shading and drafts, reduce the amount of watering and feed with mineral fertilizers.

Black leg

Black leg is considered one of the most dangerous pathologies for eggplant seedlings. This disease is expressed in the darkening and depletion of the stem of the plant, which eventually acquires a grayish coating and fades. As a rule, the causes of blackleg are contaminated soil or an excess of nitrogen-containing fertilizers.

To cope with this disease, the seedlings must be watered with "Fitosporin" under the root. The calculation of the drug is 100 ml per 10 liters of water. Or use 1% Bordeaux liquid.

Yellowness of leaves

Yellowness of the leaves is considered a typical pathology in eggplant seedlings.

Mainly this problem appears for the following reasons:

• lack of moisture;
• watering with cold water;
• nutrient deficiencies;
• increased soil acidity.

To avoid yellowing of foliage, seedlings need to be fed with mineral fertilizers. At the same time, you need to ensure that the soil is moist and loose, but not acidic.

Black spotting

Black spot, just like black leg, is a rather dangerous disease for eggplants. Pathology is expressed in small dark specks on the leaves of the plant.

Main causes of this phenomenon:

• planting density;
• overabundance of moisture;
• unsuitable soil.

Seedlings can be cured of black spot only at the initial stage of its development.For this, young plants with an interval of 3-4 days are recommended to be sprayed twice with organic fungicides. More affected seedlings must be completely removed, and the soil disinfected with a strong solution of potassium permanganate.

Powdery mildew

Powdery mildew is characterized by a white coating on the leaves of plants. At first glance, this defect seems harmless. In fact, powdery mildew can lead to partial wilting of foliage or complete death of seedlings. Such a pathology occurs, as a rule, due to high humidity or due to a sharp change in temperature.

In the fight against powdery mildew, it is necessary to treat seedlings with microbiological preparations 2-3 times with an interval of 10 days, and sprinkle the soil with ash. It is also recommended for young seedlings to provide protection from drafts and reduce watering.

Dangerous diseases and treatments

After the plants are planted in open ground, they will also require special attention from gardeners. The fact is that the growth of nightshade crops in the same place contributes to the oxidation of the soil and the accumulation of fungal and viral diseases in it.

In greenhouse structures or in small greenhouses, due to the lack of regular ventilation, a favorable environment is created for the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms. In addition, in mini-rooms, low light and high humidity negatively affect the immune system of eggplants. Consider the most dangerous diseases of these plants and their treatment methods.

Phomopsis

Phomopsis is a heat-loving fungus that is the causative agent of eggplant dry rot. The disease is expressed in the form of rounded light spots with concentric zones on the foliage, stems and fruits of plants. The disease develops at an air temperature of about +20 degrees and a humidity of 60-90%.

Also, frequent rains and an excess of nitrogen in the soil also contribute to this pathology.

Phomopsis control methods:

1. Presowing seed treatment.
2. Spraying bushes with fungicides.
3. Removal of infected plants from the territory.

It is also worth observing timely agricultural practices, such as watering, crop rotation, weeding and loosening.

Light blight

Late blight is one of the most common diseases that eggplants are exposed to when grown in greenhouse conditions. The first symptoms of pathology are brown spots on the trunk and leaves of plants. Then a whitish coating is observed from the underside of the tops. Over time, the plants dry out, and the fruits begin to deteriorate with hard rot.

There are several ways to treat eggplant from late blight. However, according to experienced gardeners, the following folk method is considered the most effective:

1. 200 g chopped garlic pour 3 liters of water.
2. Garlic solution insist 2 weeks in a dark place.
3. After this time, dilute the infusion in a ratio of 1:1 with water.

It is recommended to spray all plants with the resulting liquid, and sprinkle the soil with wood ash.

Alternariosis (gray rot)

Alternariosis is dangerous for eggplants both in open and closed ground. First of all, the lower fruits, which get water when irrigating the soil, are affected by these diseases. In addition, there is a possibility of infection with a long period of eggplant ripening.

Alternariosis symptoms are characterized by gray or brown spots on the leaves. There are cases when eggplant itself is affected by this disease.

Alternaria is treated with contact fungicides. Spraying is carried out with a spray gun so that the solution falls on the undersides of the leaves.

Sclerotinia (white rot)

Sclerotinia is a fungal disease that spreads in the ground. Most often, this disease is caused by fogs, prolonged rains, and dense plantings.

Initially, the disease only affects the root system, then the fungus makes its way inside the plant.

Dark spots begin to appear on the stems and leaves of the vegetable, and the fruit itself acquires a softened structure. Over time, eggplants become slimy with white spots.

Sclerotinia is treated in the following order:

1. The damaged eggplant parts are removed.
2. The cuts are treated with wood ash.
3. Plants are fed with complex fertilizers.

Then it is recommended to ventilate the greenhouse well and warm it up until the dampness disappears.

Cercosporiosis

This fungal disease from the genus Hyphomycetales is transmitted by spores during soil irrigation, work equipment or wind. In the initial stage of cercosporiosis, eggplants develop white spots with small veins on the leaves, stem and stalks. In later periods, the foliage of plants dies off completely, the fruits acquire a non-marketable appearance and lose their taste.

Treatment of cercosporiosis involves the use of Bordeaux liquid or another fungicide. Complex mineral fertilizers will also help to increase the resistance of eggplants to this fungal disease.

Phytoplasmosis

Phytoplasmosis is a viral disease that is dangerous for eggplants when grown outdoors.However, there are cases when this disease harms plants in greenhouse buildings. When infected with stolbur, eggplants deform the bush. The leaves become smaller and acquire a white or purple hue. The stem of plants becomes stiff, inflorescences change their color and correct shape.

This disease is usually treated with insecticides. Eggplant processing is carried out 2 times with an interval of 13-16 days. In this case, all heavily affected bushes must be removed and the ground disinfected.

Pests, their signs and control options

Very often, eggplants suffer not only from various diseases, but also from pests. If the plants are not protected in a timely manner and control measures are not taken, gardeners will not get a good harvest.

Slugs

These gastropods actively eat both bushes and eggplant fruits. Their active reproduction is frequent rains and dense plantings. You can identify these pests by large holes in plants and by the mucus they leave when moving.

Slug Control Methods:

1. Remove weeds in time.
2. Ventilate greenhouse facilities regularly.
3. Sprinkle paths and paths with coarse s alt or sand.
4. Mulch the soil with spruce needles.
5. While loosening, sprinkle the soil with black or red pepper.

In cases where the above methods do not give a positive result, metaldehyde can be used. For this, this powder at the rate of 3 g per 1 sq. m it is recommended to sprinkle the paths between the rows.

Cruciferous flea

Insects such as cruciferous fleas can lead an active lifestyle in almost all areas of the garden. However, they do not tolerate shaded and damp places well. Eggplant leaves become the object of attack of these black small insects.In a short period, cruciferous fleas are able to destroy all the greenery of the bush, leaving only veins. At the same time, not only adult insects are dangerous for eggplants, but also their larvae. Small individuals for their development actively eat the roots of plants, which leads to their death.

In the fight against cruciferous fleas, use dandelion or garlic infusion. In order for the liquid to stick well to the plants, it is recommended to add shavings of laundry soap to it.

Aphid

On the territory of our country there are several species of aphids that feed on eggplant juices. Their color can be varied, from dark black to bright red. Despite this, the ways to deal with them are identical.

Insect control methods at home:

1. Laundry soap shavings are dissolved in water. The resulting solution is applied to plants 2 times with an interval of 1 week.
2. In a 1:1 ratio, mix edible s alt and soda. Water and laundry soap are added to the resulting mass. Eggplants are sprayed with the resulting mixture 1 time in 3 days until the insects disappear completely.

From professional products, gardeners advise using biological products that do not contain harmful chemical components.

Whitefly

Insects such as whiteflies cause significant damage to eggplant. First, they absorb a large amount of plant sap. Secondly, whiteflies secrete dangerous dew, which promotes the development of soot fungus.

Detecting insects is easy. As a rule, the midges themselves and their larvae are on the reverse side of the leaves.

If whiteflies have not yet had time to lay their larvae, a soapy solution of tar soap is used in the fight against them. If you have children, it is recommended to use drugs that include avermectins.

Colorado potato beetle

Colorado beetles are quite voracious pests. For 1 month, one female eats more than 4 g of greens, the larva is about 1 g. At the same time, each female lays about 700 eggs in one season. Therefore, if pests are not destroyed in time, gardeners will be left without eggplants.

In the fight against the Colorado potato beetle, insecticides such as Imidacloprid and Pentsicuron are considered the most effective.

Without chemistry use the following methods:

1. Collecting beetles and larvae by hand.
2. Powdering plants with wood ash.
3. Spraying with soapy water.

You can also use repellant plants that repel Colorado beetles with their smell. Among them, the most effective are: marigolds, calendula and celery.

Spider mite

Spider mites are considered the smallest pests for eggplant. Their size does not exceed 0.5 mm. But despite this, they cause great harm to both the plants themselves and their fruits.

The following signs will indicate the presence of spider mites on eggplant:

• white spots on sheets;
• drying tops;
• a cobweb forms under the bushes.

If you immediately start fighting when a spider mite is detected, then you can do without chemicals.

To kill insects you will need:

1. Increase humidity.
2. Remove all damaged plant parts.
3. Tear off all existing webs.

For a quick effect, plants can be sprayed with ammonia diluted in water.

Medvedka

Medvedka is an underground insect that is hard to see. It is possible to understand the presence of this pest only by burrows and trenches made in the ground. The insect feeds exclusively on the roots and aerial parts of eggplants.

You can get rid of the bear in the following ways:

1. Spread eggshell bait and vegetable oil on the plot.
2. Pour insect holes with a solution of 150 ml of kerosene and 10 liters of water.

The destruction of pests also involves the use of a highly toxic drug - "Phenaxin". Its granules fall asleep in those places where there is a large accumulation of insects.

Prevention measures

Any disease is easier to prevent than to cure. Therefore, in order to reduce the risk of disease, it is recommended to carry out preventive work in advance.

A set of measures to prevent the development of diseases:

1. Seed processing.
2. Disinfection of soil and greenhouses.
3. Ventilation of greenhouse facilities.
4. Timely watering.
5. Remove weeds at their first appearance.
6. Feeding with complex fertilizers.
7. Pest control.
8. Loosening the soil.

Also, eggplants cannot be planted in one place every year. The best predecessors for them are: peas, beans, cucumbers, cabbage.

As you can see, when growing eggplants, they require special attention and compliance with the rules of agricultural technology. Without proper care, they are subject to various diseases and insect attacks. But if you make an effort, then every gardener will definitely get the desired result of the yield of tasty and he althy fruits.

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