What diseases can affect eggplants in a greenhouse and how to treat them?

Of course, knowing about the diseases of different crops and how to prevent them is much more beneficial than dealing with treatment later. Therefore, it's important to research greenhouse eggplant diseases (photos) and their treatments in advance. This information should begin as early as sowing the seeds, as prevention typically occurs during this period.

It's not always possible to hold on under control Each crop. Sometimes, even as the flowers are flowering or the fruit is ripening, a gardener notices something is wrong with their eggplants. In this situation, it's important to understand the underlying disease and what steps can be taken to quickly cure it.

Eggplant diseases in the greenhouse: photos and treatment (video, photos, tips)

Blackleg

A fungus causes this disease. It's easy to spot because the plant's root collar begins to darken and tighten. A gray coating is often also visible on the darkened parts of the plant. If the plant is severely affected, it begins to wilt rapidly due to root death. If humidity is high, the blackleg develops quickly and spreads to the soil, posing a threat to other plants in the greenhouse.

What to do?

When growing in a greenhouse, the soil will need to be completely replaced. If this is technically impossible, disinfection is necessary. Disinfection is carried out using 200 grams of bleach per ten liters of water. A diseased plant cannot be saved; it must be removed immediately.

Black spot (bacterial)

As the name suggests, this disease is caused by bacteria. Eggplants grown outdoors or indoors are equally susceptible to black spot. The lesions are visible on the green parts of the plant and can appear at any time during the growing season. Dark spots appear on the green parts and gradually increase in size. Initially, they are only 2 mm in size, but can later reach 6 cm.

If bacterial black spot begins on a young plant, it will most likely die. Surviving plants will produce fruit, but the fruit will be small and of poor quality. At temperatures around 25-30 degrees Celsius and high humidity in the greenhouse, bacterial spot develops especially rapidly. The pathogen will remain on the seeds. Did you know? How to get rid of moles in your dacha the easy way?

What to do?

Crop rotation must be practiced properly. This means destroying all plant debris during harvest. This is especially true for home-grown seeds. They should be taken only from healthy, vigorous plants. The second season, the plants will be even more severely affected than the first. Treatment involves removing diseased eggplants and disinfecting the soil.

Late blight

Another viral disease affecting eggplants in greenhouses (photo), and we'll discuss its treatment below. It causes rusty brown spots on leaves, fruits, and stems. If the greenhouse is damp, a white coating often appears on the undersides of the leaves. High humidity causes the plant to rot, while dry air simply dries it out. Sudden temperature fluctuations and cold air promote the development of late blight.

What to do?

You'll need a 0.2% copper sulfate solution, which can be counteracted with another copper-containing product. Spray the plant in the evening. The disease can develop regardless of the specific growing season. Avoid using chemical sprays, as they can cause the ripe fruit to become dangerous to humans.

You can also treat eggplants for late blight with garlic infusion. Add a cup of crushed fresh garlic to three liters of water. Let it steep for ten days, then dilute it with water at a 1:1 ratio and spray.

White rot

Another fungal disease that can affect eggplants in greenhousesThe lesions are white and resemble a coating, initially appearing on the upper part of the stem. Over time, hard sclerotia form, blocking nutrients from reaching certain parts of the plant. Eventually, the eggplant begins to wilt and simply dries out. The disease most often appears at the planting stage when the air temperature is cool. The disease is characterized by a focal pattern. Fruit may be affected, becoming soft and watery, and a white coating may also be visible.

What to do?

When planting, avoid overwatering the soil and air. Clean eggplants regularly, removing any damaged stems, leaves, and fruit. You can apply chalk or tree resin to affected areas. If the plant is sick, water it with warm water.

If you know the common greenhouse eggplant diseases (photos) and treat them promptly, you'll be able to save most of your harvest. Plus, remember that the best protection is prevention, even before you plant your seeds. Have a wonderful gardening season.