Natural Control for Eggplants

Beetle Leaf Bites

• When eggplants are young, they are susceptible to eggplant flea beetles, which eat little holes in the plants' leaves. This species of flea beetle is different from the ones that prefer corn or other crop families. Most healthy eggplant seedlings will outgrow flea beetle damage, but all vulnerable plants should be protected. Rotenone and capsaicin (hot peppers) give relief from flea beetles. These controls must be applied often since eggplant flea beetles propagate quickly and rain or watering washes the controls away.

Flower Eating Bugs

• The tarnished plant bug feeds off eggplant flowers causing them to drop. Having fewer flowers tends to reduce overall eggplant production. Row covers may be expensive, but they are effective in protecting blooms. Keep weeds down, as this bug seems more active around lots of weeds. Pyrethrums are organic commercial insecticides, ironically derived from flowers that are effective in diminishing the tarnished plant bug population.

Sucking Insects

• Aphids attach themselves under eggplant leaves and suck their nutrients. The potato and peach tree aphids are attracted to eggplant, and an infestation will deplete a plant in a short period of time. Spraying plants with a soap and water solution deters aphids from getting a hold on leaves. Ladybugs and other beneficial insects are also effective in aphid control. The commercial, organic product rotenone has also proven effective.

Black and White Fungus

• Water-logged, rotting stems are early symptoms of a fungal disease called white mold. Eventually, the stem lesions are covered by white mold, and black mold will be inside the stem. As the eggplant stem dies, the branches follow, and eventually the whole plant expires. Poor drainage, along with heavy, clay soil or overwatering, encourages the Sclerotina sclerotiorum pathogen that creates this fungus. Keep good airflow using raised beds, and avoid weeds and crop overcrowding to naturally prevent the molds.

Wilting Pathogens

• Verticillium wilt is a severe fungal disease that can be caused by Verticillium dahliae or Verticillium albo-atrum pathogens. Tainted eggplants have yellow leaves and the plants often crumple. Many current vegetable varieties are resistant to this fungi, but care should be taken with heirlooms. According to Cornell University, there are no approved commercial organic controls for Verticillium wilt, but compost may contain inherent organisms that fight the pathogens.