Eggplant Production, Disease Control

Disease Control
Eggplant Production

	Several diseases attack eggplant. This tutorial will discuss only a few of the most serious pathogens (see photos of all these major diseases).
	Phomopsis blight attacks the stems of eggplant, causing plants to wilt. The disease can also penetrate into fruit, creating a soft rot. To control Phomopsis, select resistant varieties, sow pathogen-free seeds, rotate crops, and spray with fungicides. Mulching and furrow irrigation will reduce infection caused by water and soil splashing.
	Eggplant suffers from several soil-borne diseases including Damping off, Bacterial wilt, and Verticillium wilt. Damping off fungi (Pythium, Phytophtora and Rhizoctonia) attack germinating seeds, creating lesions on the stems and later the collapse of seedlings. Soil sterilization and seed treatment are recommended control practices.
	Bacterial wilt is very destructive, especially in the hot, wet season. Plants wilt and die suddenly. When newly infected stems are cut crosswise and placed in water, an ooze appears. Sow resistant varieties, rotate with non-Solanaceous crops, use raised beds for improved drainage, and graft plants onto resistant rootstocks.
	Verticillium wilt causes stunting and wilting of plants. Leaves turn yellow along the margins, later turning brown and wilting. A lengthwise cut of the infected stem shows dark-brown discoloration in the vascular tissue. Soil sterilization and crop rotation with non-Solanaceous crops are recommended. Grafting eggplants on suitable rootstocks also minimizes the disease infestation. Use resistant varieties. Other diseases on eggplant include Southern blight, Alternaria and Cercospora leaf spot, and several viruses.