Eggplant Integrated Pest Management AN ECOLOGICAL GUIDE

_______________________________________________________________________Key to some common eggplant problems10 Key to some common eggplant problemsAffectedplant partGeneralsymptomSpecific symptom(s) Possible cause seesectionentire plant stunted Bushy plants with very short leaves Little leaf 8.2.3growthentire plant stunted Stunted growth Fungal wilt 8.3.2growthentire plant stunted Poor growth, deformation of leaves Red spider mite 5.3growth and/or shootsentire plant stunted Poor growth, deformation of leaves Aphids 5.5growth and/or shootsentire plant stunted Stunted plants with purplish leaves Phosphorous deficiency -growthentire plant stunted Stunted plants Soil compaction -growthentire plant stunted Stunted plantsWater logging (poor -growthdrainage)entire plant wilting Sudden plant wilting without leaf Bacterial wilt 8.3.1yellowingentire plant wilting Wilting of shoots or entire plant Rootknot nematodes 8.1.3entire plant wilting Plant wilts, stem rot at soil line Root rot 8.1.2entire plant wilting Plants turn yellow, wilting occurs Whitefly 5.8entire plant wilting Plants wilt Too much fertilization -fruit fruit drop Infection of the fruit pedicels (showing Early blight 8.2.2spots or browning) may causepremature fruit drop.fruit fruit drop Fruits with many spots drop to the Anthracnose fruit rot 8.2.4ground with the pedicel still attachedto the plant.fruit fruit spot On fruits, spots usually begin at the Early blight 8.2.2stem end and develop into blackleathery sunken area, often with darkconcentric rings.fruit fruit spot Fruit spots are initially small, watersoakedAnthracnose fruit rot 8.2.4circular spots. Later spotsbecome sunken and dark. Darkspecks may be present in the spot,often in radiating circles around thecenter. Sometimes, pink gelatinousspore masses are seen inside thespot.fruit fruit spot Fruit spots: large, circular, sunken tan Phomopsis rot 8.2.1or black areas on the fruit. Affectedfruits are first soft and watery but latermay become black and shriveled.Black specks (pycnidia) may alsoappear on fruit spots, usually incircular forms.fruit fruit spot Fruit spots enlarging to cover entire Root rot 8.1.2fruit which dries and becomesmummied.fruit hole Hole in the fruit stalk or fruit itself. Fruit and shoot borer 5.1fruit spot Fruit surface is speckled, with small Thrips 5.6brown patchesleaf blight Brown areas, often on underside of Thrips 5.6the lower leavesleaf blight Brown leaf margins and leaf curling Potassium deficiency -163Eggplant Ecological Guide