Eggplant diseases: signs, control methods, disease prevention

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 health. However, in order to get these fruits on their plot, every 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 kind of diseases these are, for what reasons they arise and how to deal with them will be described in detail in this article.

The main causes of diseases in eggplants

A plant can get sick or be attacked by pests at different ages: at the seedling stage, after planting in open ground, during fruiting.

The following main causes of the disease can be identified:

• failure to comply with crop rotation conditions;
• unsuitable site or conditions in the greenhouse;
• improper watering;
• errors in the composition of the fertilizer or its deficiency;
• unfavorable weather conditions.

Light spots on the leaves of eggplant seedlings

When such spots appear, you must first make sure that there are no pests. If none is detected, then these are burns from the sun or the lamp under which the eggplant seedlings are placed.

Eliminating the cause is quite simple: move the lamp further away, and shade the eggplant seedlings from the sun with newspaper or tulle.

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. The occurrence of diseases can be determined 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 plants wither, which leads to their death. To avoid these negative consequences, when growing eggplants, it is important to carry out pre-planting preparation of soil and seeds.

Processing of seed material:

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 remove essential oils, planting material is doused with boiling water.
4. The seeds are soaked for a day in any nutrient solution for eggplants.

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

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

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

Prevention of infectious diseases of eggplants

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It is much easier to avoid any disease than to treat it, which is why all the efforts of gardeners should be aimed at disease prevention. To protect plants from infections, certain growing rules should be followed.

1. Choose varieties based on whether you are going to grow eggplants in open or closed ground. Give preference to time-tested, zoned varieties and hybrids of vegetables.
2. Maintain crop rotation and do not plant eggplants in the same place where other members of the Solanaceae family (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers) previously grew. The best predecessors for eggplant are cabbage, cucumber, zucchini, pumpkin, onions, garlic, legumes, and carrots.
3. Do not plant young plants too close to each other, because this provokes the rapid spread of any disease.
4. Maintain proper ventilation. When growing eggplants, it is important, on the one hand, to provide the plants with the necessary air temperature, and on the other, to prevent overheating and excess humidity.
5. Dispose of plant debris in a timely manner and under no circumstances add contaminated plant parts to the compost.
6. Weed your plantings regularly, since very often weeds are the source of pathogenic organisms.
7. Follow the watering schedule and never water eggplants with cold water, since excess moisture and sudden changes in soil temperature can lead to the development of many fungal diseases.

To ensure that your plants grow healthy and ultimately thank you with a rich harvest, carefully follow all growing recommendations. Follow the advice of experienced specialists and you will see that the fame of eggplant as a very capricious vegetable is somewhat exaggerated.

Yellowness of eggplant leaves

Leaves turn yellow not only on eggplant seedlings. This problem is also typical for mature plants. Most often, yellowness appears due to unsuitable, overly dense peat soil that does not allow air and water to pass through well. Another possible cause may be a deficiency of nitrogen and potassium.

Most often, yellowness on the leaves of eggplant seedlings is caused by the use of an unsuitable substrate for this crop.

To avoid this, eggplant seeds are planted in special soil for seedlings. Ordinary soil from the garden will not work, since the crop is very sensitive to the acid-base balance and does not tolerate the slightest deviation in one direction or the other. Before planting in the ground, the seedlings must be fed by watering them with a weak solution of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers (they need to be alternated).

For eggplant seedlings, it is best to use soil purchased in a store; in addition, it must be sterilized.

The lower leaves of the eggplants began to turn yellow

In animals this situation would be called vitamin deficiency. Eggplant seedlings do not have enough nutrients in the soil and for further development they begin to suck them out of the lower leaves. Typically, a similar situation occurs when growing eggplant seedlings in peat. Eliminating the situation is quite simple: the eggplants need to be fed with complex fertilizer.

The lower leaves also turn yellow due to a lack of nitrogen. This is also eliminated with fertilizers. Seedling leaves may turn yellow due to some infectious diseases or pest attacks. Pests are relatively easy to notice, but before you start treating eggplant seedlings for an infectious disease, it is better to first add fertilizer and see if the situation improves.

Stolbur (phytoplasmosis)

Usually affects plants in open ground. Severe chlorosis and leaf wilting are observed. Corrugation and cracks of the leaf plate, browning of the bark are possible. The internal tissues of the plant become very woody. The shoots and tops of the bush become red and purple, the lower leaves turn yellow, and the veins on the inside become purple.

The fruits are small, deformed and woody, hard inside. The virus is transmitted by leafhoppers and grafting in late summer and early autumn, and can survive in the rhizomes of perennial weeds. Due to the lack of resistant varieties, careful weed control and treatment of plants with Actellik come to the fore.

Gray rot of eggplant

Remains of diseased plants, air and soil are sources of infection of healthy eggplants. The fungal disease actively progresses in conditions of high humidity and temperatures of about +20 degrees. Increasing dark water spots on all parts of the plant are soon covered with a grayish coating.

Treatment of eggplants from gray rot is carried out using specially created fungicides and soil fumigation. If the eggplants cannot be cured, they must be destroyed by burning.

After the eggplant harvest has been harvested, all plant remains should be eliminated from the garden bed.

White rot of eggplant

Sclerotinia is a fungal disease that occurs mainly due to waterlogging of the soil and watering with cold water. Cold weather also affects when planting seedlings in the soil. The root system of eggplant is affected. The stems acquire lesions with a whitish coating, the inner part of which contains hard sclerotia. Over time, these formations soften and cause disruption of the eggplant’s nutrition from the roots. This leads to the plant drying out. The affected fruit acquires a watery consistency with patches of white plaque. It is necessary to regularly clean the plant from infected parts.

Sprinkling with crushed chalk or wood ash helps. It should be remembered that watering should be done with warm water and not become excessive.

Fusarium wilt of eggplant

This fungal disease mainly develops on seedlings in greenhouses. Fungi begin their active life at a temperature of 23-27 degrees, the catalyst is a high percentage of humidity.

In greenhouses, this disease in eggplants (and in other crops too) often turns into chronic. Penetrating into plant tissue through contaminated soil, fungi block blood vessels, provoke leaf necrosis (at first they turn yellow and curl) and lead to wilting of the entire bush.

Unfortunately, these fungi resist most fungicides well. Therefore, it is easier to carry out preventive measures: grow resistant varieties, replace the top layer of soil in case of disease development, disinfect the seeds before planting in a container.

Sick plants are removed, and healthy ones are treated with Farmayod, Topsin or Fundazol.

Blackleg

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

To cope with this disease, seedlings must be watered with “Fitosporin” at the root. Calculation of the drug is 100 ml per 10 liters of water. Or use 1% Bordeaux mixture.

Bacterial cancer

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Bacterial cancer is an incurable disease caused by non-spore-bearing aerobic bacteria. It manifests itself as ulcers on the stalks and petioles, as well as cracks on the stems oozing mucus. Although the eggplant leaves do not fall off, they dry out and curl on one side. Small hard spots can be seen on the fruits.

What to do if eggplants get bacterial cancer

Diseased plants are dug up and burned, and the rest of the eggplants are sprayed with 1% Bordeaux mixture as a preventive measure.

Powdery mildew

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

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

Why do eggplants start to get sick?

Eggplants are heat-loving, so problems often arise when growing them in temperate climates. If agricultural practices are violated and under poor growing conditions, the crop not only grows poorly, but also begins to get sick.

Causes of eggplant diseases:

• Lack of light. Plants should receive light in doses. During the period of growing seedlings, plantings cannot be illuminated around the clock. If there is not enough light, the seedlings begin to get sick and wither; if there is too much light, they will stretch out. The optimal length of daylight for eggplants is 10 hours. Plants need especially a lot of light during the period of fruit ripening. Eggplant leaves are illuminated not only from above, but also from below.
• Moisture deficiency. The soil should always be slightly moist. It should not be dry or swampy. It is overwatering that causes most dangerous diseases. In hot weather, watering is carried out every other day, pouring 3-5 liters of water under each bush. In normal weather, plantings are watered 2-3 times a week. When the fruits ripen, watering is reduced to once a week.
• Nutritional deficiency. The best soils for eggplants are sandy and loamy, with neutral acidity. On acidic, infertile soils, plant leaves turn yellow. It is not recommended to add sawdust to the soil to prevent acidification. Acidic soils are deoxidized with wood ash or dolomite flour.
• Cold water. Eggplant roots should be in warm soil. Seedlings are planted in open ground only when it is warmed to +25…+28 °C. Water for irrigation should be warm and settled. Because of cold water, eggplants suffer from fungal infections, lose their ovaries and even die.

Late blight

Late blight affects all nightshade crops, starting its effect on the leaves, where brownish-red spots with a light green edging and a whitish coating on the underside appear. Then the stems and fruits are affected. Eggplants become deformed, become covered with spots of solid rot, and eventually rot. High humidity and density are favorable for the development of the fungus; late blight peaks in August.

Infection often occurs from potatoes and tomatoes, after 1-2 weeks. The fungus persists in potato tubers and plant debris. For prevention, spraying with fungicides or organic preparations is used; for treatment, Bordeaux mixture and copper sulfate solution, preparations “Consento”, “Quadris” and “Antrakol” are effective.

Sclerotinia

Sclerotinia (white rot) is caused by a fungus in the soil and spreads throughout the plant, starting from the roots. A white coating is noticeable on the stem, and the inner part is compacted in places to the formation of sclerotia (a dense accumulation of threads); softening, they cut off the nutrition of the bush.

The leaves and fruits become covered with wet dark spots, then the fruit softens and becomes covered with white spots with black sclerotia. Young plants often get sick, especially those planted in cold and too wet soil.

The fungus lives in the soil for up to 10 years. Treatment consists of removing the affected parts, sprinkling the cut with ash, treating with copper sulfate and Bordeaux mixture, and complex feeding. Plantings should not be thickened.

Tracheomycosis wilt of eggplant

Vascular (tracheomycosis) wilt is caused by fungi, the names of which distinguish diseases - fusarium and verticillium. The causative agents of the disease are spread by seeds and live in the soil. First the roots are affected, then the leaves, and the plant dies.

Treatment methods:

• Watering and spraying with a solution of Fitosporin-M, Fitolavin, Farmayod, Gamair.
• Spraying with Topsin, Fundazol, watering with Rovral.

Eggplant mosaic disease

Mosaic disease is one of the dangerous viral diseases of eggplants that farmers have to fight every year. As you can see in the photo, it is not difficult to notice the bright green mosaic color on the plant. If fruits are involved in the process, then yellow spots appear on them. The virus is dangerous because it leads to the death of the entire bush.

The virus gets onto the tops from plant debris, infected tools, and is carried by insects. According to virologists, mosaic can survive in greenhouses, plant debris and on harvesting equipment for several years. Therefore, all plants with mosaics must be destroyed, and garden tools used in processing the beds must be disinfected.

It is extremely difficult to destroy the virus. It is recommended to adhere to the rules of crop rotation, use disinfected seed, and burn plant residues in the fall. A popular folk method of prevention is spraying eggplants with skim milk and dissolved laundry soap.

Phomopsis

Phomopsis is a heat-loving fungus that is the causative agent of dry rot of eggplants. The disease is expressed in the form of round 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 humidity of 60-90%.

Frequent rains and excess nitrogen in the soil also contribute to this pathology.

Methods to combat Phomopsis:

1. Pre-sowing seed treatment.
2. Spraying bushes with fungicides.
3. Removing infected plants from the territory.

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

Dangerous diseases and treatment methods

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 small greenhouses, due to the lack of regular ventilation, a favorable environment is created for the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. In addition, in mini-rooms, reduced lighting and high air humidity negatively affect the immune system of eggplants. Let's look at the most dangerous diseases of these plants and methods of treating them.

Phomopsis

Phomopsis is a heat-loving fungus that is the causative agent of dry rot of eggplants. The disease is expressed in the form of round 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 humidity of 60-90%.

Frequent rains and excess nitrogen in the soil also contribute to this pathology.

Methods to combat Phomopsis:

1. Pre-sowing seed treatment.
2. Spraying bushes with fungicides.
3. Removing infected plants from the territory.

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

Late 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 on the underside of the tops. Over time, the plants dry out and the fruits begin to deteriorate with solid rot.

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

1. Pour 200 g of chopped garlic into 3 liters of water.
2. Leave the garlic solution for 2 weeks in a dark place.
3. After this time, dilute the infusion with water in a 1:1 ratio.

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

Alternaria (gray rot)

Alternaria blight is dangerous for eggplants both in open and closed ground. First of all, these diseases affect the lower fruits, which receive water when irrigating the soil. In addition, there is a possibility of infection during a long period of ripening of eggplants.

Alternaria blight symptoms are characterized by gray or brown spots on the leaves. There are cases when the eggplants themselves are affected by this disease.

Alternaria blight is treated with contact fungicides. Spraying is carried out with a spray bottle so that the solution hits the undersides of the leaves.

Sclerotinia (white rot)

Sclerotinia is a fungal disease that spreads in the soil. The most common causes of this disease are fogs, prolonged rains, and dense plantings.

Initially, the disease damages only 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.

Treatment of sclerotinia is carried out in the following order:

1. Damaged parts of eggplants are removed.
2. The cut areas are treated with wood ash.
3. Plants are fed with complex fertilizers.

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

Cercosporiosis

This fungal disease from the genus Hyphomycetales is transmitted through spores during soil irrigation, work equipment or wind. In the initial stage of infection with cercosporiosis, eggplants appear white spots with small veins on the leaves, stem and stalks. In later stages, the foliage of the plants dies off completely, the fruits acquire an unmarketable appearance and lose their taste.

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

Phytoplasmosis

Phytoplasmosis is a viral disease that is dangerous for eggplants when grown in open ground. However, there are cases when this disease harms plants in greenhouse buildings. When eggplants are infected with stolbur, the bush becomes deformed. The leaves become smaller and acquire a white or purple tint. The plant stem becomes woody, the inflorescences change their color and regular shape.

This disease is usually treated with insecticides. Processing of eggplants 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 plants are not protected in a timely manner and control measures are not taken, gardeners will not receive a good harvest.

Slugs

These gastropods actively eat both bushes and eggplant fruits. Their active reproduction is facilitated by frequent rains and dense plantings. These pests can be identified by large holes on plants and by the mucus they leave behind as they move.

Methods to combat slugs:

1. Remove weeds in a timely manner.
2. Regularly ventilate greenhouse structures.
3. Sprinkle paths and paths with coarse salt or sand.
4. Mulch the soil with spruce needles.
5. While loosening the soil, sprinkle with black or red pepper.

In cases where the above methods do not give a positive result, you can use metaldehyde. To do this, use this powder at the rate of 3 g per 1 sq. It is recommended to sprinkle the paths between the rows.

Cruciferous flea beetle

Insects such as cruciferous flea beetles can lead an active lifestyle in almost all areas of the garden plot. However, they do not tolerate shaded and damp places well. These small black insects attack eggplant leaves. In a short period of time, cruciferous flea beetles can 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. For their development, small individuals actively eat plant roots, which leads to their death.

In the fight against cruciferous flea beetles, dandelion or garlic infusion is used. To ensure that the liquid adheres well to the plants, it is recommended to add shavings of laundry soap to it.

Aphid

In our country there are several species of aphids that feed on eggplant juices. Their color can vary, from dark black to bright red. But despite this, the methods of dealing with them are identical.

Methods for exterminating insects at home:

1. Dissolve soap shavings in water. The resulting solution is applied to plants 2 times with an interval of 1 week.
2. Mix table salt and soda in a 1:1 ratio. Add water and laundry soap to the resulting mass. The resulting mixture is sprayed onto the eggplants once every 3 days until the insects disappear completely.

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

Colorado beetle

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

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

The following methods are used without chemicals:

1. Collecting beetles and larvae by hand.
2. Dusting plants with wood ash.
3. Spraying with soap solution.

You can also use repellent plants that repel Colorado potato beetles with their scent. Among them, the most effective are: marigold, calendula and celery.

Spider mite

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

The presence of spider mites on eggplants will be indicated by the following signs:

• white spots on leaves;
• drying of the tops;
• A cobweb forms under the bushes.

If you immediately start fighting when you detect a spider mite, you will be able to do without chemicals.

To kill insects you will need:

1. Increase humidity.
2. Remove all damaged plant parts.
3. Rip off all existing cobwebs.

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

We determine the causes of problems by external signs - table

Prevention methods

Necessary measures to prevent diseases and pests are:

• pre-sowing seed treatment or use of ready-made treated material;
• application of crop rotation rules for nightshade crops;
• soil disinfection in various ways; for example, copper preparations;
• sufficient distance between plants;
• proper watering and fertilizing;
• timely treatment, destruction of plant residues, cleanliness of the greenhouse and weed control.

Viral diseases

Viruses often cause damage to young eggplant seedlings.

Tobacco mosaic

Tobacco mosaic

Pathogen. The disease is caused by a virus of the Tobamovirus genus. Consequences - the tobacco mosaic virus stops plant growth and reduces yield.

Main sign. Thinning of the leaf plate with gradual curling of the edges. Without treatment, the leaves resemble lace.

Dangerous period. Plants at all stages of development are susceptible to the disease. Seedlings grown in greenhouses get sick more often. The virus can infect fruits. The main symptom is insufficient size, lack of ripening.

Causes:

• weakening of the plant's immunity;
• growing in low light conditions;
• damage to seedlings by aphids and mites.

Treatment. Spraying and watering seedlings with immunostimulants, spraying with boric acid and whey.

Prevention. Treatment of seeds with biostimulants, pest control, removal of infected plants, alternation of mineral and organic fertilizers for feeding.

Stolbur

Column of eggplants

The main symptom of this viral disease is thickening and brittleness of the stem. All nightshades are characterized by pinking of the top of the stem followed by a change in the color of the leaves. Subsequently, the apical leaves remain underdeveloped, with curved edges, and a thinned plate.

Dangerous period. The virus infects plants before flowering. Consequences - plants stop growing. If left untreated, the virus spreads to the roots. The plant dies.

Causes:

• infection of eggplant seedlings by insects;
• growing in dense plantings;
• presence of weeds: field bindweed, chicory, and spurge are considered to be reserves of stolbur.

Treatment. Treatment of seedlings with broad-spectrum insectoacaricides, for example, Actellik.

Prevention . Timely removal of weeds, soil disinfection, insect control.