p>Eggplant, a low-calorie, high-fiber vegetable rich in various vitamins and minerals, is beneficial for health when consumed in moderation. Due to its high economic value, many farmers cultivate eggplant. Below are some key management tips for eggplants in May.
Key Management Tips for Eggplants in May
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Fertilization Technique: May is the peak season for eggplant production, requiring a significant amount of fertilizer and water. Eggplants thrive in moist conditions, so it's essential to maintain adequate soil moisture. If there's a shortage of water, irrigation and furrow irrigation can be performed. For irrigation, dissolve ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium phosphate, and potassium sulfate in water at concentrations of approximately 0.3%, 0.15%, and 0.2%, respectively. For furrow irrigation, fill the furrows with water first, then evenly distribute the fertilizers mentioned above and dissolve them in the furrows. The application rate per acre can range from 15-30 kg, 10 kg, and 10 kg, respectively. If the field is not lacking water, you can dig a hole between every four eggplant plants and fill it with well-rotted farmyard manure.
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Late-stage Management: Besides removing axillary buds, old leaves at the bottom of the eggplant should also be removed. Leave one to two leaves below the largest eggplant on the plant, and remove all others below.
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Deep Furrowing: By digging deep furrows and raising the beds, waterlogging can be prevented, soil aeration can be improved, and soil temperature can be lowered.
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Disease and Pest Prevention: After May, eggplants are mainly susceptible to gray/mildew and powdery mildew diseases. Gray mildew manifests as light brown to brown spots on mature fruits, which may become blackish-brown with a frosted mold layer on the fruit surface, gradually softening and rotting with a foul smell, sometimes occurring during transportation or display in stores. High temperatures and humidity favor the growth of powdery mildew and other pathogens. Therefore, during the hot and rainy summer season, a large number of eggplants may rot rapidly, with mature fruits quickly covered by dense white hairs. To control the diseases, immediately remove and destroy central diseased plants and spray pesticides. Starting from the rainy season, spray a 1:200 Bordeaux mixture every 7 days for protection, with excellent results. If the disease occurs, apply pesticides immediately. Recommended pesticides include 75% chlorothalonil at 500-600 times dilution, 50% methyl tobutin wettable powder at 800 times dilution, 40% aluminum phosphite wettable powder at 200 times dilution, and 64% copper sulfate at 500 times dilution, spraying once every 7-10 days for 3-4 times. Mixing the above pesticides with Tenda-2116 melon and eggplant special type can achieve better results. To prevent resistance, use different types of pesticides each time.
Above are the key management tips for eggplants in May. During the growth period of eggplants, it's important to prevent diseases and pests, prune the branches and leaves appropriately, and promote the growth and development of eggplants.
