The happy pests and diseases do not stop harassing us.
Whatever the crop, very often we will see how some bugs and fungi visit to touch our morals and that of our plants. Those plants that we have cared for with such care and that now suffer biotic stress caused by living organisms. Learn to identify the problem and fix it.
Index
EGGPLANT PESTS
RED SPIDER ( TETRANYCHUS URTICAE KOCH)
It is very common for the spider mite to visit fruit horticultural crops, such as aubergine. In this case, the problem starts when we see small or tiny discolorations on the leaves of our crop. Some yellowish spots (small dots that can hardly be seen with the naked eye). If you take a magnifying glass, you will be able to see with relative ease some tiny red spiders located on the underside.
If the problem continues and the spider mite population in the aubergine crop increases, foliar desiccation and mid-plate loss will be observed, as well as damage to the fruit and the peduncle.
In severe attacks, a spider web can be seen that covers almost the entire crop.
WHEN IS IT MOST COMMON TO SEE SPIDER MITE ATTACKS?
When temperatures rise and relative humidity drops. That is, when it is hot and there is a dry environment.
Here you can consult the authorized products for the control of red spider mites in eggplant.
WHITE SPIDER ( POLYPHAGOTARSONEMUS LATUS BANKS)
It usually appears in the apical areas of the aubergine crop . Its bites cause the curvature of the leaves, also affecting fruits and the peduncle.
The sulfur is an ancient technique used to hold off white spider populations. It is accepted in organic farming. However, when the pest is important, it is necessary to resort to updated active ingredients.
We give you an example of some authorized ones .
MOSCA BLANCA (TRIALEURODES VAPORARIORUM WEST, BEMISIA TABACI GENN)
The damages are produced by both larvae and adults, causing yellowing of the leaves, even loss of leaf mass. In addition, on the molasses secreted by the larvae, the bold can develop. Damage to fruit is produced by both the secreted molasses and the bold.
We give you an example of some products authorized for the control of whitefly in eggplant.
PULGÓN (MYZUS PERSICAE, APHIS GOSSYPII)
Its distribution is normally by foci. The main damages are deformations in new leaves, which causes loss of growth. In the molasses that they secrete, the bold is developed.
We give you an example of some authorized in aubergine.
MINER THE SUBMARINE ( LIRIOMYZA SPP.)
The damage is caused by feeding bites , laid by adults and by the subsequent development of the larvae within the leaf tissue, which form perfectly visible galleries.
These galleries appear on the top or underside of the leaves, depending on the species.
Example of active ingredients used to control the miner in aubergine.
THRIPS ( FRANKLINIELLA OCCIDENTALIS ) IN AUBERGINE CROP
Damages are produced by both larvae and adults, due to their feeding, causing a silver discoloration on leaves and peduncle. In the fruit it produces pustules in the lower part of the fruit. In addition, another important damage is the transmission of TSWV, a virus that to date has no solution.
Some active ingredients used to control thrips.
NEMATODOS (MELOIDOGYNE SPP.)
The nematodes are present in most crops and, of course , also in culture as common as eggplant. This pest penetrates the roots and deforms them. Galls and nodules appear on these, reducing their capacity to absorb nutrients and, therefore, the growth of the plant.
Within the market against nematodes, there are many products . Active materials of recognized success but with long safety periods and only applicable prior to cultivation (they have residues).
Other products have a nematicidal effect and can be applied during cultivation. There are also nematostatics (they keep the population at bay) and repellants (they create an unsuitable environment for their reproduction and activity).
The most used active ingredients for chemical control are dichloropropene and metam sodium (or potassium).
EGGPLANT DISEASES
MILDEW ( PHYTOPHTHORA NICOTIANAE ) IN EGGPLANT
The mildew is a common disease in crops. It is favored by environmental situations of high humidity, with rains and puddles. In fact, the fungus needs water to disperse its spores.
The optimal incubation temperature for the fungus is usually between 16ºC and 22ºC. Most damaging is the night dew and morning mists.
Active ingredients recommended for treatment.
VERTICILOSIS (VERTICILLIUM DAHLIAE)
The symptoms of this disease begin with a wilting and continue with lateral chlorosis on the leaves, causing
the death of the plant. It is caused by Verticilium dalhiae and causes lateral wilting. It colonizes glass by glass inside the plant, so that sometimes you see a part of the plant withered and another part not.
GRAY ROT ( BOTRYTIS CINEREA ) OF EGGPLANT
Gray rot affects leaves, stems and fruits. It causes a soft rot where a gray mycelium can be observed. It takes advantage of moments of weakness of the crop, for example, caused by pruning and wounds caused by insects.
It is very common to appear in times of high humidity.
Recommended main active ingredients.
SCLEROTINIA ( SCLEROTINIA ESCLEROTIORUM )
Sclerotinia is an aubergine disease that produces a soft, whitish rot. A kind of cottony mycelium with white sclerotia appears (at first). It appears on the stem and causes its death.
Some active ingredients effective against sclerotinia in eggplant .
ALTERNARIA (ALTERNARIA SOLANI)
The disease begins in eggplant with the appearance of brown spots and a marked yellowish border. It has a rounded and concentric shape in these spots. It is known as black mold and is typical of areas of high humidity and temperature.
This disease begins by attacking the lower areas of the crop and then progresses to the upper leaves.
Active substances accepted against alternaria in the cultivation of aubergine.