Crops

Eggplant

Eggplant is a warm season, frost sensitive crop. Eggplants grow better in warmer temperatures and are more sensitive to low temperatures than either tomatoes or peppers. The use of black plastic mulch usually results in increased early growth and yields with less damage from Verticillium wilt, perhaps because of a healthier, more vigorous plant at the time of infection. Deep, well-drained sandy loam soils are ideal for eggplant. Southern slopes that warm early in the spring may yield better. Eggplant benefits from irrigation during the period of flowering and fruit set. If soil moisture is limited at this time, yields will be reduced.

For Current information on production methods (including varieties, spacing, seeding, and fertility), weed, disease, and insect management, please visit the New England Vegetable Management Guide website.

Below you will find additional information on managing this crop, including photos of insects and diseases in this crop, fact sheets, articles, and power point presentations, when available.

Insect List

• Aphids
• Colorado Potato Beetles
• Cutworm Veriegated
• Cutworm Black
• Flea Beetles
• Leafhoppers
• Mites
• Tarnished Plant Bugs
• Tomato Fruitworm (Corn Earworm)
• Pepper Maggot
• Whitefly

Disease List

• Anthracnose (Colletotrichum)
• Damping-Off
• Verticillium Wilt
• Verticillium Streaking

Articles

• Jilo
• PPT on Organic Flea Beetle Management in Brassicas and Eggplant