What diseases affect eggplant? What causes eggplant plant death

Eggplant is a very common vegetable in our daily lives. Not only is it very delicious, but it is also rich in nutrients, which is why many people love it. Many people who have grown eggplant themselves have also found that eggplant is highly susceptible to pests and diseases during its growth. What diseases does it have? Let us take a look at them one by one.

What diseases affect eggplant

1. Damping-off

Eggplant damping-off mostly occurs at the seedling stage. When the disease strikes, the stem discolors and dies, gradually shrivels, and the seedling collapses against the ground until the plant rots and dies.

Control methods: Choose varieties with good disease resistance for planting, disinfect the seeds and soil before planting, choose a sunny plot with good drainage, and when the disease occurs, use chemicals for spraying and sterilization.

2. Phytophthora blight

Phytophthora blight, also called rotten eggplant, is the most common disease of eggplant, with a relatively high incidence, and it is especially severe in the plum rain season. When the disease is serious, the fruits rot in large quantities, seriously affecting eggplant yield.

Control methods: Likewise choose varieties with relatively strong disease resistance, disinfect the seeds and soil before sowing, prune frequently during the growth stage to ensure ventilation and light penetration, fertilize reasonably to promote strong plant growth, and combine with chemical treatment when the disease occurs.

3. Sclerotinia rot

Sclerotinia rot is one of the common diseases of vegetables. It harms not only eggplant but also many home-grown vegetables. It first appears at the base of the stem, and over time white cotton-like mycelium grows. In severe cases, the stems and leaves wither and die, and finally the whole plant dies, affecting yield. Control methods: The pathogen of sclerotinia rot mainly comes from the soil, so sterilization treatment of the soil is extremely strict. Carbendazim wettable powder can be mixed with soil and evenly spread on the planting site. When planting, pay attention to keeping warm and strengthening ventilation. If diseased plants are found, pull them out and burn them promptly, and disinfect the soil where diseased plants were grown to avoid infecting other plants.

What causes eggplant plant death

1. Fusarium wilt

In the early stage of the disease, the leaves at the top of the plant wilt as if lacking water, then the wilting gradually worsens, the leaf veins of the lower leaves begin to turn yellow, followed by the leaf margins turning yellow, and finally the whole leaf turns yellow and withers. When the disease is severe, the leaves of the whole plant turn yellow and withered, but the leaves do not fall off. A longitudinal cut of the diseased stem shows the vascular bundles turning dark brown.

2. Bacterial wilt

It mostly occurs during the flowering and fruiting stage. In the early stage, only one or a few leaves on a single branch turn pale, showing local drooping, then it spreads to the whole plant. It can recover in the morning and evening, and soon the plant wilts in a green-wilted state. In the later stage, the diseased leaves turn brown and scorched. Cutting open the base of the diseased stem shows the xylem turning brown.

3. Root-knot nematode disease

Eggplant root-knot nematodes mainly harm the root system of eggplant. The affected roots grow root knots of varying shapes and sizes, the main roots become fewer, and the fibrous roots increase. These root knots prevent the root system from absorbing water and fertilizer normally, and the aboveground part's development is hindered. As the disease continues to worsen, eggplant gradually shows the phenomenon of plant death.

Control methods for eggplant Fusarium wilt

1. Disinfect seeds and seedbeds. Before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water at 55 degrees C for 15 minutes, and disinfect the seedbed soil. Actively control underground pests to avoid wounds on the root system.

2. Carry out crop rotation with non-solanaceous vegetables for more than 3 years. Use red eggplant, Torubamu, etc. as rootstocks for grafting and seedling raising. Transplant at the right time and carefully, control watering appropriately, and strengthen intertillage to promote healing of root wounds.

3. In the early stage of the disease, use 50% carbendazim wettable powder at 500 times dilution, or 50% benomyl wettable powder at 1000 times dilution, or 20% tolclofos-methyl emulsifiable concentrate at 1000 times dilution, or 5% juntoxing aqueous solution at 400 times dilution, or 15% hymexazol aqueous solution at 1000 times dilution for root drenching, 200 milliliters per plant.

How to grow eggplant

1. Seed selection

When selecting, adapt to local conditions. For example, in some areas where the annual average temperature is relatively high, varieties with good heat tolerance should be selected for planting; on the contrary, where the annual average temperature is relatively low, cold-tolerant varieties need to be selected, and so on. But no matter what, the selected varieties must have good disease resistance.

2. Soil selection and land preparation

Choose soil that is loose, sufficiently fertile, and well-drained, preferably in a place with ample light. Deeply plow and sun-expose the soil, and make high beds more than 30 cm high, 1.7 m for double-row planting and 1 m for single-row planting.

3. Sowing

Eggplant can be sown in spring and autumn. Spring sowing is in January to February, and autumn sowing is in July to August. Of course, sowing is also affected by regional climate changes. Generally, the seeding rate is 15-20 grams per mu.

4. Fertilizer and water management

Eggplant also has relatively high requirements for water and fertilizer. At the seedling stage, fertilize lightly, and fertilize according to plant growth, but do not apply concentrated fertilizer, otherwise it will harm the seedling roots or cause excessive vegetative growth.

5. Field management

In order to reduce nutrient consumption of the plant and allow the plant to bloom and bear fruit more, at the bud stage remove side branches that have no buds. When fruiting, use supports to hold up the plant to prevent it from lying on the ground and avoid rotten fruit.

Eggplant still occupies a relatively important place in our daily lives, so whether it is large-scale cultivation or growing it in one's own small yard, everyone should be prepared for pest and disease attacks to avoid serious effects on eggplant yield.