Eggplant leaf spot and fruit rot, caused by the fungus Phomopsis vexans, is a destructive fungal disease that affects primarily fruit, stems, and leaves. Left uncontrolled, phomopsis blight in eggplants can cause the fruit to rot and become inedible.
What causes eggplant to rot?
Cause Phytophthora capsici, a fungus-like microorganism. This soil-inhabiting organism causes root rot in pepper and eggplant and is most active in moist, warm weather (75°F to 91°F). Disease is generally seen in the wettest areas of a field.
How do you keep eggplant from rotting?
Keep eggplant away from other produce.
In the fridge or on the counter, you should keep your eggplant away from ethylene producers like apples, melons, and bananas. The emitted ethylene can quicken the ripening (and rotting) process for your eggplant and lead to a mushy, undesirable vegetable.
What is the main cause of fruit rotting?
Most fruits and vegetables go bad because of damage caused by microorganisms such as bacteria and mold, enzymatic processes or bruising. Microorganisms speed produce deterioration through structural decay.
What causes blossom end rot in eggplant?
Blossom End Rot is a fruit disorder and not a disease caused by a fungus, bacterium, or a virus. It will not spread as a disease does, but more fruits will show the symptoms if the cause is not reduced. This rot is directly related to soil moisture and the need of the plant for calcium.
What does an overwatered eggplant look like?
An overwatered eggplant will also show symptoms of this problem on its leaves. Look for leaves that feel wet, soft, and limp. More symptoms of overwatering include premature leaf drop of new growth and soft, brown, or mushy roots that prevent the plant from taking water, causing leaf curl and wilting.
What is the best fungicide for eggplant?
Fungicides for Use in Home Gardens for Eggplant Disease Control.
Strategies for Managing Diseases in Eggplant.
| Pest | Active Ingredient | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Phomopsis and Foliar Diseases | Copper | Preventative only |
| Chlorothalonil | Preventative only | |
| Phytophthora blight | Potassium phosphite | Apply as a drench |
| Copper | Preventative only |
How often should eggplant be watered?
Water eggplant deeply and infrequently, applying 1-2 inches per week. Use drip irrigation if possible. Mulching around the plant will conserve soil moisture and reduce weed growth. Irrigate so that moisture goes deeply into the soil.
How do you treat bacterial wilt in eggplant?
To manage bacterial wilt of eggplant, multiple measures such as use of resistant cultivars, grafting seedlings with wild rootstock, crop rotation, soil fumigation, and chemical controls have been recommended.
How do you treat eggplant fungus?
Disease: Fusarium Wilt
Eggplant damage appears as wilting from lower to upper leaves, followed by plant collapse. Control: There is no treatment for Fusarium wilt, so the best way for tomato growers to control the disease is to plant tomato varieties that resist the disease.
How do you keep fruit from rotting?
Storing fruit in the fridge
- Most fresh fruit, including apples, berries and grapes, will last longer if kept in their original packaging and stored in the crisper of your fridge.
- Berries can last in the fridge for about a week.
- Plastic bags with tiny vents (openings) help keep fruit fresh longer by releasing moisture.
How do you control root rot?
Most garden root rot issues can be prevented by taking steps to improve soil drainage before planting. While it may seem like excessive water is the cause of root rot, the problem starts because too much water provides the perfect environment for the real cause: fungus.
How is rotting fruit a chemical reaction?
The rotting of fruit is a chemical reaction. This is because when fruit spoils, an enzymatic reaction occurs. An enzymatic reaction is defined as “the conversion of one molecule to another”. Because an enzymatic reaction causes molecules to change when rotting, rotting is a chemical reaction.
Can overwatering cause blossom end rot?
Blossom end rot is caused by a calcium deficiency in developing fruit. Fluctuating soil moisture due to overwatering or drought, high nitrogen fertilization, and root pruning during cultivation are conducive to blossom end rot.
Can you stop blossom end rot once it starts?
Treatment. If you notice some of your fruits developing blossom end rot, it is unfortunately non-reversible on the affected fruit. You will have to remove the affected fruit and fix your plant’s calcium levels so the next round of fruit will grow healthy.
How do I add calcium to my soil?
How to Raise Calcium in Soil. Adding lime to the soil in autumn is the easiest answer to how to raise calcium in the soil. Eggshells in your compost will also add calcium to soil. Some gardeners plant eggshells along with their tomato seedlings to add calcium to soil and prevent blossom end rot.
How do you fix Overwatered eggplant?
If your eggplants have been overwatered, the best thing to do is to let them dry out. Not completely, of course, but give them some time to recover without having waterlogged roots. As long as it hasn’t progressed to root rot, this will help.
Can eggplants get too much sun?
☀️Eggplants love and need full sun to thrive. If you live in an area with intense sun, make sure the fruits have adequate shade from the leaves to avoid sunscald on your eggplants. If they’re getting too much sun, you can use shade cloth shade cloth to protect the fruit.
How do I keep my eggplant plant healthy?
Choose an area with abundant sunlight and fertile, well-drained soil. Improve native soil by mixing in several inches of aged compost or other rich organic matter. Keep soil moist but not soggy—soaker hoses are a great option. Keep your plants fed by feeding them regularly with a continuous-release plant food.
What is the common problem of eggplant?
Some of the most common include blossom end rot, wilt diseases, and various types of blight. Many of these eggplant diseases can be eliminated or prevented by practicing crop rotation, reducing weed growth, and providing adequate spacing and uniform watering.
What do you spray on eggplant leaves?
Organic options are neem oil, garlic-based sprays, rotenone, pyrethrins and Pyola (a canola oil and pyrethrins combo from www.gardensalive.com.) You might need to spray every week or so through August, when flea beetles taper off for the season.