Chapter 18 Eggplant
Contents
18.5.2 Phytophthora crown or collar
rot
18.5.3 Verticillium wilt, Verticillium albo-atrum and V. dahliae
18.6.2 Colorado potato beetle
(CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata
18.6.3 Aphids, primarily the green
peach aphid, Myzus persicae
18.6.4 Two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae
18.1
Recommended Varieties
Black Magic (purple black, oval
Dusky (purple black, pear oval)
Special Hibush (purple black, pear oval)
Classic (purple, elongated oval)
Kiko (purple, elongated oval)
Ichiban (purple, slender oriental type)
Little Fingers (purple, slender oriental type)
Rosita (rose pink, elongated oval)
Neon (rose pink, pear oval)
Ghostbuster (white, oval)
18.2
Planting Methods
This crop can produce fairly good yields in warm regions of New York, particularly during summers with higher than average temperatures. Eggplant is a moderately deep-rooted, indeterminate, shrubby or bushy plant, and many varieties are self-fertile.
Eggplant grows best between 75° and 85°F. Eggplant is very sensitive to frost and requires a warm, long, growing season. The use of plastic mulch often improves yields. Well-drained, deep, sandy loams are ideal for eggplant because it is a heavy feeder.
Set plants into the field after danger of frost is past and daily average temperatures are between 65° and 70°F. The usual planting dates in New York are May 20 to June 10.
Table 18.2.1 Recommended spacing.
|
Row (in feet) |
In-row (in
inches) |
|
4-5 |
18-24 |
18.3
Fertility
Maintain a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. See Tables 18.3.1 and 18.3.2 below for the recommended rates of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
18.4
Harvesting
Harvest when the fruit is firm, fully formed, glistening, and the seeds and pulp are white. When the fruit is past prime, it becomes dull, and the seeds turn brown. Cut with a sharp knife or shears. Frequent picking will help ensure higher yields. The skin is tender and easily bruised or punctured, so it should be handled with care.
Store at 50° to 54°F and 90 to 95 percent relative humidity. Young immature fruit may be susceptible to chilling injury at 50°F. Storage life is about one week, but older, mature fruit harvested during cooler weather can store for two weeks or more at 50°F.
|
Table 18.3.1 Recommended nutrients based on soil tests for transplants in bare ground. If using plastic mulch without fertigtion, broadcast and incorporate all fertilizer before laying plastic mulch. |
||||||||
|
N pounds/acre |
P2O5
pounds/acre |
|
K2O pounds/acre |
Comments |
||||
|
|
Soil Phosphorus
Level |
|
Soil Potassium
Level |
|
||||
|
|
low |
med. |
high |
|
low |
med. |
high |
|
|
130 |
150 |
100 |
50 |
|
150 |
100 |
50 |
Total recommended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40 |
100 |
50 |
0 |
|
100 |
50 |
0 |
Broadcast and disk-in. |
|
40 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
|
50 |
50 |
50 |
Apply in bands at planting or shortly after and cultivate. |
|
50 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
Apply three weeks after planting. |
|
Table 18.3.2 Recommended nutrients based on soil tests
for transplants in plastic mulch, trickle irrigation and fertigation. |
||||||||
|
N pounds/acre |
P2O5
pounds/acre |
|
K2O pounds/acre |
Comments |
||||
|
|
Soil Phosphorus
Level |
|
Soil Potassium
Level |
|
||||
|
|
low |
med. |
high |
|
low |
med. |
high |
|
|
120 |
150 |
100 |
60 |
|
150 |
100 |
60 |
Total recommended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40 |
90 |
40 |
0 |
|
90 |
40 |
0 |
Broadcast and disk-in. |
|
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
|
20 |
20 |
20 |
Apply 1 week after transplanting and every3-4 weeks. |
18.5
Disease Management
18.5.1
Fruit rot, primarily caused by Anthracnose, Colletotrichum
coccodes, and Alternaria early blight, Alternaria
solani and A. alternata
Time for concern: During
fruit development
Key characteristics:
|
Management
Option |
Recommendation |
|
||||||
|
Scouting/thresholds |
Begin sprays as first fruit ripens and continue on a seven
to ten day interval. |
|
||||||
|
Resistant varieties, crop
rotation, site selection seed selection/treatment, postharvest, sanitation |
These
are not currently viable management options |
|
||||||
|
Compound(s) |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
Common
name |
Rate/A |
PHI |
REI |
Field |
|
|||
|
|
Trade name |
Product |
(days) |
(hours) |
Use
EIQ |
Comments |
||
|
azoxystrobin |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Amistar 80 WDG |
2-5
oz |
0 |
4 |
2-4 |
Begin application of Amistar (Group 11)
before disease develops. |
||
|
copper
compounds |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Champ F or OLF |
1.3
pt |
0 |
12/24
(see label) |
||||