Republic of the Philippines
TARLAC AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
Camiling, 2306, Tarlac
DEPARTMENT OF EXTENSION AND TRAINING
MODULE PREPARATION FORMAT
(HEADER)
MODULE PREPARATION
MODULE 01
Eggplant Production Guide
Fe Agliam & Feevee Parganel
(Name of Author/s)
(Project Designation)
(Date Accomplished)
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Republic of the Philippines
TARLAC AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
Camiling, 2306, Tarlac
DEPARTMENT OF EXTENSION AND TRAINING
What is this module about?
This module is intended to assist the students to learn how to grow eggplant such as cultivar
selection, planting, fertilizing, staking, harvesting and insect pest management.
What will you learn in this module?
General Objective:
The general objective of this module is to familiarize the students on how to produce
eggplant for small and/or large scale production.
Specific Objectives:
1. To familiarize with the botanical description of an eggplant.
2. To know how to choose the right cultivars suited for the area and consumer
preferences;
3. To know the different production practices .
4. To be able to identify, prevent and control insect pests and diseases of eggplant.
5. To get acquainted with the proper harvesting procedures and post-harvest operations
This module consists of the following lessons:
Lesson 1: Eggplants and Its Cultivars
Lesson 2: Cultural Management of Eggplants
Lesson 3: Insect Pests and Diseases of Eggplant and its Management
Lesson 4: Harvesting and Post-Harvest Operations
What do you already know?
Before proceeding with the lesson, let’s do a self-check! Write your answer down on the space
provided.
1.
2.
3.
4.
How common is eggplant to you?
Do you plant eggplant in your backyard? Is it for market or for home consumption?
Do you observe prevalence of pests and diseases in your crops?
How do you manage to prevent and control pests and diseases?
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Republic of the Philippines
TARLAC AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
Camiling, 2306, Tarlac
DEPARTMENT OF EXTENSION AND TRAINING
LESSON 01
Eggplants and Its Cultivars
What is this lesson about?
This lesson is all about eggplants history, adaptability and its different cultivars here in
the Philippines.
This lesson will take about 20 minutes.
Let us study:
HISTORY
Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is a member of the family Solanaceae and is
botanically related to tomato, pepper and potato. Its origin is considered to be India where it
continues to grow wild. This spiny, bitter, orange, pea-sized fruit has been cultivated
throughout India and China for more than 1500 years.
As trade routes opened, eggplant was introduced to Europe by the Arabs and
transported to Africa by the Persians. The Spaniards carried it with them to the New World
and, by the early 1800s, both white and purple varieties could be found in American gardens.
According to the American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening -Vegetables, "A 5th Century Chinese book contains one of the oldest references to eggplant. A
black dye was made from the plant, and ladies of fashion used it to stain their teeth - which,
when polished, gleamed like metal."
In China, as part of her "bride price," a woman must have at least 12 eggplant recipes
prior to her wedding day. In Turkey, "imam bayeldi," a tasty treat of stuffed eggplant simmered
in olive oil is said to have made a religious leader swoon in ecstasy. When first introduced in
Italy, people believed that anyone who ate the "mad apple" was sure to go insane.
Eggplant is extensively grown in the eastern and southern Asia and in the Philippines.
It is one of the most important vegetables. Given their tropical and subtropical heritage,
eggplants do require relatively high temperatures, similar to tomatoes and peppers (which, like
eggplants, are in the Nightshade family). They grow fastest when temperatures are between 70
and 85°F (21 and 30°C)—and very slowly during cooler weather.
Like tomatoes and peppers, eggplants develop and hang from the branches of a plant
that grows several feet in height.
Because they need warm soil, eggplants are usually purchased as 6- to 8-week-old
transplants (or, started indoors about two months in advance) to get a head start. Raised beds
enriched with composted manure are an ideal growing place for eggplants because the soil
warms more quickly. Eggplants are also great for containers and make lovely ornamental
borders. In fact, there are quite a few ornamental eggplant varieties available today, whose
inedible fruit have attractive variegated patterns.
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DEPARTMENT OF EXTENSION AND TRAINING
Though eggplants are usually a beautiful dark purple color, their color can vary, and so
can the size and shape—from small- to large-fruited.
EGGPLANT CULTIVARS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Eggplant is extensively grown in the Philippines making it as one of the most important
vegetables in the country. Eggplants produce a bushy, vigorous plant with large leaves, woody
stems and attractive flowers. Some eggplant cultivars can reach a height of 4.5 feet. Eggplants
have a deep taproot, which helps them tolerate dry weather. Flowers are open for two to three
days and are self-pollinated. However, bees may improve both pollination and yield of
eggplant. Fruits vary in size and shape, from round to bell-shaped, oval or elongated. Oriental
or Japanese eggplant cultivars have elongated fruit. The fruit surface of eggplant is smooth and
glossy. Fruit color can be yellow, green, white, purple, black, violet or various combinations
of these colors. Today there are approximately 15-20 different varieties of eggplant, grown
primarily in China.
Production of eggplant from July to September 2020 at 39.76 thousand metric tons was
3.4 percent higher than the 38.46 thousand metric tons output in the same quarter of 2019.
The Ilocos Region, Pangasinan, Central Luzon, and Southern Tagalog are known as
the top producers of eggplant in the country. Every year, eggplant is grown in an average of
21,225 hectares, making it an important source of income for many Filipino farmers.
CALABARZON, the leading producer of eggplant with 12.61 thousand metric tons,
shared 31.7 percent to the country’s total output this quarter. The other major producing
regions were Cagayan Valley with 12.4 percent share and Western Visayas, 8.6 percent.
The size, shape, and color of eggplant vary from round to long and thin, and purple to
white and green. Different seed companies offer a wide range of eggplant varieties to cater to
the different preferences of consumers in various regions in the Philippines.
Table 1: The following are the existing variety of eggplants in the Philippines.
COMPANY
Allied
Botanical
Corps.
PRODUCT
Wonder
Green
Eggplant
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
Allied
Botanical
Corps.
Thunderbolt
F1 Hybrid
Eggplant
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
Form Code:
DESCRIPTION
Special type eggplant
with green cylindrical
fruit
Good eating quality
Prolific and productive
plant
Produces dark purple
fruits with green calyx
Long and heavy fruits
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Condor
Spitfire F1
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Allied
Botanical
Corps.
Pepito
Eggplant
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
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Stress-tolerant; requires
less
amount
of
fertilizers, ideal for
organic farming.
Purple fruit; green calyx
1-3 kg potential yield per
plant;
20-30
tons
potential
yield
per
hectare
Matured at 50 DAT
All seasons; lowland
Very prolific high round
to round eggplant
Has purple fruit with
green calyx

Condor
Bulinggit
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
Ramgo
Hybrid
Eggplant
Sikat F1
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
Form Code:
An OP variety produces
oval
fruits
with
variegated coloring in
green and white. This
variety is commonly
used a a pinakbet
ingredient by Ilocanos.
Ideal for both backyard
cultivation and largescale or commercial
production
Green
with
white
patterns; green calyx
Matured at 55-60 DAT
Dry season; lowland
High yielding variety
with fruits that are
cylindrical and with
glossy dark purple skin
and green calyx
Tolerant to heat stress
and bacterial wilt
Maturity: 60 DAT
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Ramgo
Claveria
Long Purple
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

Ramgo
Ilokano Bilog
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
Ramgo
Impress F1
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
Ramgo
Niagara F1
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
Eastwest Seed
Banate King
F1

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




Form Code:
Uniform plant growth
Purple fruits that are
about 15-18 cm long
Tolerant to bacterial
wilt and phomopsis rot
Maturity 60-65 DAT
All-year round variety
in areas with good
irrigation and drainage
Plants thrive well at
temperatures between
24 and 32oC
Maturity 60-65 DAT
Uniform fruits with
glossy dark purple skin
and green calyx
Fruits are about 18 cm
long and 3.5 cm in
diameter
Good shelf life quality
Tolerant to bacterial
wilt and phomopsis rot
Good fruit setting ability
Fruits are about 18-20
cm long and 25-30 cm
wide with attractive
purple skin and green
calyx
Tolerant to bacterial
wilt and phomopsis rot
No calyx spine
Maturity: 50-55 DAT
A high yielding early
maturing
hybrid
eggplant with long,
glossy, slim, light purple
fruits.
This variety is noted for
its good transportability
and long shelf life.
Maturity: 45-55 DAT
Weight: 0.12-0.15 kg
per fruit
Cylindrical shape with
3.0-3.5 cm in diameter
and 24-28 cm in length
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Eastwest Seed
Morena F1
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


Eastwest Seed
Gwapito F1
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

Eastwest Seed
Bulakeña
Long Purple

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
Eastwest Seed
Fortuner F1


Eastwest Seed
Domino F1
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
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


Form Code:
A high yielding, early
maturing eggplant with
long, glossy, dark purple
fruits.
This variety is noted for
its good transportability
and long shelf life.
Maturity: 45-55 DAT
Weight: 0.12-0.14 kg
Cylindrically shape with
3.4-3.8 cm in diameter
and 26-28 cm in length
A high yielding, early
maturing
hybrid
“mansanitas”
type
eggplant with round,
green purple fruits.
Very productive and
earlier than the exiting
farmers variety.
Maturity: 40-50 DAT
Weight: .05-0.6 kg
Round in shape with 4-5
cm in diameter
A productive open
pollinated variety with
medium size, firm, light
purple fruits.
Maturity: 55-65 DAT
Weight: 0.12-0.15 kg
Cylindrically shape with
3.5-4.0 cm in diameter
and 20-22 cm in length
High yielding variety
with
compact
and
vigorous plant.
Superior quality fruits of
around 26-30 cm long
and 3.5-4.0 cm in
diameter with green
calyx and superior shelf
life.
Maturity: 62-65 DAT
Weight: 0.14-0.15 kg
Highly prolific, short
and oblong type hybrid
eggplant
Fruits are green and
glossy
Maturity: 62-65 DAT
Weight: 0.40-0.50 kg
Oblong in shape with a
diameter of 3.5-4.0 cm
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DEPARTMENT OF EXTENSION AND TRAINING
Eastwest Seed
Amor F1
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

Eastwest Seed
Mucho







and 8.0-10.0 cm in
lenght
A strong vigorous plant
with
intermediate
resistance to Bacteriail
wilt
Fruits are slim (3.5-4.0
cm), long (18-20cm.),
better tasting than the
usual eggplant and very
productive.
Fruit color is green and
white with green calyx
Maturity: 60-65 DAT
Weight: 0.10-0.11 kg
Cluster-type eggplant,
high yielding, highly
adaptable, long shelf
life- still marketable 5-7
days after harvest.
Early maturing variety,
excellent fruit quality
Dark violet in color
Maturity: 55-60 DAT
Fruits are 3.5 cm in
diameter and 23-25 cm
in length
Reference:
PSA, Sept. 22, 2020 https://psa.gov.ph/vegetable-root-crops-main/eggplant
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extenion, 2003.
https://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/pubs/0203/eggplant.html#:~:text
=Its%20origin%20is%20considered%20to,to%20Africa%20by%20the%20Persians.
Allied Botanical Corporation, 2020. https://alliedbotanical.com/project/eggplant/
Ramgo International Corporation, 2020. https://online.pubhtml5.com/yrhk/vwbc/#p=16
Eastwest Seed, 2020. Eastwest Seed App.
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DEPARTMENT OF EXTENSION AND TRAINING
LESSON 02
Cultural Management of Eggplants
Soil Requirement
Eggplant production can be successful on any good agricultural soil by using
appropriate management methods. A deep, fertile and well drained sandy loam or silt loam
soils with pH of 5.5 to 6.8 and a high organic content are desirable for eggplant growth and
development. Studies have indicated that lower or higher pH results in low yields because pH
is closely related to the availability of soil nutrient content. A sandy loam soil is ideal especially
when early yield is desired.
Eggplant is susceptible to root rotting fungi, so saturated soil conditions and heavy clay
loam soils should be avoided. Nematode problems are more likely to happen on very heavy
soils.
Climatic Requirements
Eggplant can be grown from low to mid elevations throughout the year. A relatively
long growing season of about 120 days is required for successful production. Eggplant is a
warm weather plant, and the optimum temperature for growth and fruit development are 21°C
to 29°C.
It is intolerant of frost, and the growth of young plants will be retarded when night
temperatures are below 16°C. On flowering plants, both cool temperature and low light
intensity can cause pollen viability and failures of fruit set. Eggplant, though more resistant in
drought and excessive rainfall than tomato, has relatively slow growth under high temperature.
When both temperature and relative humidity are high, eggplant becomes vegetative.
Seedling Production
A. Raising Seedlings
A hectare of farm requires 100 g of seeds. One gram is approximately 250 seeds.
There are two methods of seedling establishment in eggplant, namely, the seedbed
method and the box, tray or potlets method.
a. Seedbed Method




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


Choose a level area fully exposed to sunlight, accessible to water source, with
good drainage and provided with windbreaks.
Prepare the area by plowing and harrowing alternately until the soil is reduced
to fine tilth.
For one (1) hectare area to be planted, construct seedbed measuring 1 x10 m
at 15 cm high.
Pulverize the soil and level the bed with the use of hand tools and remove
weeds and stubbles.
Before sowing the seeds, sterilize the seedbed to kill weed seeds and pathogens
present in the soil.
Water the prepared seedbed first for better heat penetration.
Spread about 3 to 5 cm thick of either rice straw or rice hull on top of the
seedbeds and burn slowly.
When the soil cools, remove unburned materials and excess ash.
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
To avoid toxic effects of burned materials, do not sow seeds immediately after
sterilization. Water the seedbeds before sowing.
Prepare rows at a distance of 5 cm with the use of a stick.
The night before sowing, soak the required amount of seeds in clean water.
Sow immediately or airdry the seeds before sowing. Drill the seed evenly in
the furrows and lightly cover with fine soil.
b. Seedling Tray/Potlets Method

Raising seedlings in tray or potlets requires less seeds, promotes uniform
growth of superior seedlings, minimizes transplanting shock and lessens
seedling mortality. It also saves labor for thinning, weeding, watering, and
pest management. Prepare the sowing medium by mixing thoroughly one (1)
part compost, one part carbonized rice hull (CRH), and one part garden soil.
Sterilize the garden soil by roasting or drenching with boiling water before
mixing with other medium.

Fill holes of the tray or potlets with the medium and slightly compact it using
your palm. Use a seedling tray with 100 or 104 holes. The volume of medium
in each hole contains enough nutrients to sustain the seedling until
transplanting. The night before sowing, soak the required amount of seeds in
clean water. Sow immediately or airdry the seeds before sowing. Sow one
seed per hole of the seedling tray at a depth of 0.5 cm. Cover the seeds with
fine soil. Sprinkle with water.
B. Care of Seedlings
Protect the seedlings from excessive sunlight and rain by providing a temporary
shade using available indigenous materials such as plastic, cogon, talahib or coconut
leaves. Construct the shade to 120 cm high on the east side and about 60 cm high on the
west side.
Water the seedlings preferably in the morning to minimize damping off. The
amount of water to be applied should be just enough to keep the soil moist. Over watering
favors damping-off and production of weak seedlings.
Drench the seedlings with starter solution of one tbsp urea (45-0-0) or one tbsp of
ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) dissolved in four (4) liters of water 10 days after emergence.
Water the seedlings immediately after applying fertilizer to prevent leaf injury.
One week before transplanting, harden the seedlings by gradually exposing them to
sunlight, and withholding water. For the first day, expose the seedlings up to 10 o’clock in
the morning and increase duration everyday until the seedlings can withstand the heat of
the sun the whole day. However, make sure that the seedlings do not wilt severely.
Gradually reduce the amount of water and frequency of watering to enhance hardening of
seedlings. Hardening is done to prepare the seedlings to field conditions.
C. Construction of Planting Beds and Furrows
When using plastic mulch, construct 1 m wide beds raised at 20 cm height. Space
the beds 0.5 m apart which serve as path for manual watering and furrow irrigation.
For the conventional method, set furrows (dry months) or ridges (rainy months) 1.0
m apart.
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a. Mulching
Mulching controls weeds, preserves soil moisture, prevents soil erosion and
leaching of fertilizers, and reflects sunlight to repel insect pests hiding under the
leaves. Materials that can be used for mulching include coconut choir dust, rice
straw, rice hull, and plastic mulch. Apply the coconut choir dust, rice straw and rice
hull mulches after hilling up at 3 to 5 cm thick. The use of plastic mulch is an
improved technology in vegetable production. lace the plastic mulch before
transplanting.
Placing the plastic mulch:


Stretch the plastic mulch over the planting bed, with the silver color on top.
Fasten the edges of the plastic mulch to the soil with bamboo slats spaced
30 cm apart (6 to 8 cm long). If bamboo slats are not available, cover its
edges with soil using a shovel or rake, or by passing a moldboard plow near
the edges.
Making the planting holes:
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Measure 0.5 m planting distance 10 cm from the edge on both sides of the
plastic mulch and mark the spots.
Make the holes following any of these three ways:
Using a serrated – lipped tin can – Cut the lip of a 7 to 10 cm diameter tin
can with metal scissor to form 1-cm long saw-like edges. Push the can on
the marked planting spots of the plastic sheet, serrated side down.
Using a hot tin can – Punch small holes using a nail at the sides and bottom
of a 7 to 10 cm diameter tin can. Attach a wooden or bamboo handle. Fill
the can with burning charcoal. The holes ventilate the charcoal to keep it
burning. Push the tin can with the heated bottom on the marked planting
spots of the plastic sheets.
Using a cutter – Cut intersecting lines at 7-10 cm long to form “+” or “X”
at the marked planting spots. During transplanting, fold up the 4 flaps to
form square planting holes.
Fertilizer Application
The quantity and kind of fertilizer to be applied depend on the soil fertility and on the
previous cropping patterns based on the result of the soil analysis. In the absence of soil
analysis, use the following recommended rates:
a. With plastic mulch
Basal
Apply the following fertilizers on both sides of the bed every 10 linear meters of
the planting row:
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
0.5 kg Process Chicken Manure or any commercial organic fertilizer
0.4 kg ammonium phosphate (16-20-0)
0.4 kg ammonium sulfate (21-0-0)
0.1 kg muriate of potash (0-0-60)
Cover the fertilizers with soil, or mix them thoroughly with the soil.
b. Conventional method (unmulched)
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Basal
Apply 0.5 kg fully decomposed chicken manure or any commercial organic
fertilizer and 0.4 kg ammonium phosphate (16-20-0) for every 10 linear meters of the
planting furrows or ridges.
Sidedress
Either dibble the fertilizer at the midpoint (25cm) between plants along the
rows, or distribute it evenly in a shallow furrow at 20 cm away from the base of the
plant. Follow this recommended schedule, source and amount of fertilizers:
Transplanting
A total of 13,500-16,000 seedlings are needed for transplanting for an area of 1 hectare,
depending on spacing distances. A cloudy, cool weather condition and moist but not wet soil
are ideal for transplanting. During sunny days, transplanting is best done in the late afternoon
to allow the seedlings to recover at night. However, seedlings that are adequately hardened
with slightly damaged roots could recover well when transplanted in a well-irrigated field, even
on a hot day.
About 6-9 days before transplanting, seedlings are hardened by slightly withholding
water and exposing them to strong sunlight by removing the netting. This will decrease the
transplanting shock.
The seedlings are thoroughly watered 12-14 hours before transplanting to the field. The
ideal seedlings to be transplanted have 3-4 true leaves, stocky and diseased free. Generally,
seedlings are ready to set in the field 4-6 weeks after sowing. Pull seedlings carefully. Do not
remove soil adhering to the roots. Seedlings recover easily, provided root damage during
pulling is minimal. Eggplant seedlings are transplanted by hand into a hole deep enough to
bury a plant. After transplanting, press the soil firmly around the root, and irrigate furrows
immediately. Plant 1 seedling/hill at a distance of 0.5-1.0 m depending on the variety. Provide
1m long stake to prevent lodging. Irrigate by furrow every 7-14 days depending on season and
soil type.
For conventional method of planting, at transplanting time make furrows at a distance
of 100 cm between rows for single row. However most farmers prefer double row since it
provides developing fruits adequate protection against sun scalding. It also facilitates farm
operations.
Double row is spaced 50 cm between two adjacent rows and 150 cm between double
rows. For beds with plastic mulch, remove the soil and transplant seedlings directly to the holes
prepared on the plastic sheets. Replant missing hills or wilted plants at 3 to 5 days after
transplanting (DAT). Water the newly transplanted seedlings immediately.
Irrigation
For beds with plastic mulch, flood the beds two days before transplanting to cool down
the soil under the plastic mulch and dissolve the fertilizers applied.
For the conventional method, irrigate the furrows to dissolve the fertilizers applied and
minimize direct contact of the seedling roots with the fertilizers. During the dry season, irrigate
at 7, 21 and 30 DAT. Irrigate every 10 days thereafter. The mulched eggplant requires less
irrigation water. During the wet season, irrigate as the need arises. Irrigate after every fertilizer
application.
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DEPARTMENT OF EXTENSION AND TRAINING
Weeding
In unmulched fields, manage weeds by hand-weeding or off-barring at 14 DAT and by
hilling-up at 21 DAT.
Pruning
Pruning is necessary for plant growth and fruit development. Remove lateral branches
below the split except the branch nearest to the split (X branch). This allows the air to move
freely on the base of the plants and minimize occurrence of fungus and bacterial diseases.
Pruning unnecessary leaves also reduce competition in nutrient absorption.
Organic Fertilizer
Fertilizer should be bio-degradable materials of microbial, plant or animal origins
produced on organic farms such as vermicompost and processed chicken manure. Basal
applications of organic compost of 5-10 tons/ha are needed for vegetable crops. Supplementary
application of Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ) of Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ) should also be
applied twice a week up to flowering stage.
References:
http://bpi.da.gov.ph/bpi/images/Production_guide/pdf/PRODUCTIONGUIDEEGGPLANT.pdf
https://businessdiary.com.ph/19329/eggplant-production-guide/
Lesson 3
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DEPARTMENT OF EXTENSION AND TRAINING
Insect Pests and Diseases of Eggplant and its Management
Timely protection of crops is essential. In the tropics, eggplant is attacked by several
pests. Chemical sprays, botanical and biological pesticides are used to control pests.
Insect infestation is one of the most limiting factors for accelerating yield potential of
eggplant. The crop is prone to damage by various insects, although there is wide variability in
the degree of infestation.
Several pests infest eggplants during its growth stages. Table 1 and Table 2 present pests
that damage eggplant at different growth stages and their control, respectively.
Table 1. Insect pests of eggplant and growth stage of infestation
Growth Stages
0 Stage
- Seeds
Insects/Mites
Ants
Seedling Stage
- Leaves
Aphids
Whiteflies
Vegetative Stage
- Leaves
- Stem
Aphids
Colorado potato beetle
Flea beetle
Spider mites
Stink bug
Thrips
Whiteflies
Eggplant fruit and shoot borer
Aphids
Colorado potato beetle
Flea beetle
Spider mites
Stink bug
Thrips
Whiteflies
Eggplant fruit and shoot borer
Eggplant fruit and shoot borer
Reproductive /Flowering Stage
- Flowers and foliage
- Stem
Maturation /Fruiting Stage
- Fruits and stems
Table 2.
Insect
pests of eggplant and their control measures
Insect/Pest
Damage/Harm
Control Measures
Ants
 Ants tend to bring insect pests  Increase seeding rate and thin
like aphids, scales, whiteflies,
the plants 3 weeks after sowing.
mealybugs, and other honeydew
producing insects which results  Control aphids, whitefly and
in missing hills, loss of plant
other insects that excrete
stand,
uneven
growth
honeydew
distribution in the field, and an
increased incidence of diseases  Spray mixture of dishwashing
caused by the mentioned insect
soap, vegetable oil, table salt,
pests.
vinegar and water
 Cultivate and flood the field
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 Avoid using heavy doses of
highly soluble nitrogen
fertilizers
Aphids (Aphis gossypii)
 Both the nymphs and the adults  Place yellow basin trap on the
pierce the plant tissues to feed on
area
plant sap.
 Use botanical pesticides such as
 Cause severely distorted leaves.
ginger rhizome extract and
custard apple leaf extract
 Defoliation and stunted growth
of plant.
 Spray soap mixed with water
(coconut-based soap)

water
Colorado Potato Beetle
(Leptinotarsa decemlineata)
 Adults and larvae feed on leaves  Crop rotation (garlic and beans
and often consume the entire
as rotation crops and coriander,
leaves starting with the young
marigold, and tansy are good
and soft ones.
trap crops).
 Remove weeds.
 Plow-under crop residues after
harvest.
 Crush eggs and collect adults
manually.
Place
collected
beetles in a pail of soapy water.
 Use row covers.
 Mulching encourages beneficial
insects, by giving them a habitat.
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 Young caterpillars eat the soft  Removal of weeds in and around
leaves of the plant.
fields (at least 2-3 weeks before
planting).
 Fully grown caterpillars are
capable of eating the entire plant.  Plow and harrow fields properly
before planting.
 Newly hatched larvae feed from
the base towards the tip of the  Interplant main crops with
leaf.
onion,
garlic,
peppermint,
coriander, or garlic every 10-20
rows.
 It causes leaf discoloration.
Cutworm
 It causes yellowing of plant  Sunflowers and cosmos can also
be planted as a trap crop in or
leaves.
around fields.
 Place protective collars made of
plastic or paper cups, plastic
drink bottles with ripped-out
bottom, sturdy cardboard, and
milk cartons around the young
plant and push into the soil to
prevent the cutworm from
attacking the stem.

as molasses, saw dust, or
crushed eggshells around the
base of each plant.
Fruit and Shoot Borer
(Leucinodes orbonalis)
 Wilted shoots are the initial  Plow the field to expose larvae to
feeding damage.
predators and weather.
 Damaged stem and fruit have 
small holes.

 It bores into the young fruit and
feeds inside which makes the
fruit unmarketable.
Plant resistant varieties.
Raise seedlings under row
covers and/or nets to prevent the
moths from directly laying eggs
on them.
 Practice crop rotation.
 Proper field sanitation will also
reduce the pest population.
 Cut and/or prune immediately
the larvae-infested shoots.
 Do not drop the cut shoots in the
field, burn or cut them into small
pieces.
 Uproot all old plants after
harvest and burn them.

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Spider Mite
 Feeds on the undersides of  Spray botanical pesticides like
leaves.
Coriander seed extract.
 The upper leaf surface has a
speckled or mottled appearance
while the underneath appears tan
or yellow and has a crusty
texture.
 Infested leaves may turn yellow,
dry up, and drop in a few weeks.
 Heavy infestation will result in a
fine cobweb by appearance on
the leaves.

severe.
Stink bud
Thrips
 Adults and nymphs suck plant  Remove and control weeds from
sap from leaves, flowers, bolls,
fields and also in the adjacent
buds, fruits, and from the seeds
fields.
of a wide array of crops.
 Plant small flowering plants to
 Feeding on fruits causes scarring
attract native parasitic wasps and
and dimpling known as catflies.
facing.
 Plow-under all plant debris after
 Feeding on the developing
the harvest to destroy all
grains of rice at the milking stage
possible breeding sites.
causes shriveling and empty
seeds with brown spots.
 Place parasitoids such as native
parasitic wasps on the area.
 Feeding on cotton bolls prevents
bolls to open or stains the lint or
causes bolls to drop.
 Sucking up the released plant  Spray botanical pesticides such
fluid.
as garlic bulb extract.
 Cause tiny scars on leaves and
fruit, called stippling, which can
cause stunted growth.
 Damaged leaves may become
papery and distorted.

color, rolls, and drop leaves
prematurely.
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Whiteflies
 Both the larvae and adults pierce  Spray botanical pesticides such
and suck the sap of the leaves.
as garlic oil extract, madre de
cacao and neem extract, and
neem oil extract.
 Results to the weakening and
early wilting of the plant which
results to reduced plant growth.  Spray soap (coconut-based).
 Feeding may also cause  Spray potato flour mixed with
yellowing, drying, premature
water and drops of liquid soap.
dropping of leaves that result in
plant death.
 Whiteflies produce honeydews
that serve as the substrates for
the growth of black sooty molds
on leaves and fruit.
 Mold reduces photosynthesis
causing the poor plant growth of
the plant.
Caterpillar
 Caterpillar may feed on the  Spray hot pepper extract mixed
foliage and/or fruit (depending
with coconut-based soap and
on species), or they may feed on
water.
young stems near the soil line.
 Fruit-feeding caterpillars like
fruit worms are the greatest
threat during the fruiting period.
Table 5. Diseases of eggplant and their control measures
Disease
Symptoms
Control/Preventive Measures
 Wilting of the terminal leaves,
which after 2 - 3 days becomes
permanent when the whole
plant wilts due to the active
development of the disease
 Remove and destroy all
infected plants immediately.
Bacterial Wilt
 Sudden death of whole plant.
 Plant stunts and produces large
numbers of adventitious roots
on the stem (slow development
of disease).
 Pour hot water to infected soil
after infected crops are
removed (for disinfection)
 Rotate crops other than
solanaceous crops. Rice, corn,
beans, cabbage, and sugarcane
are found to be resistant to
bacterial wilt.
 Expose farm tools to heat
before using them in another
field.
Damping-off
 Dark-brown to black watersoaked lesions that rapidly
spread over the entire seedling
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 Improve the drainage and
regulate soil moisture to
prevent soil saturation.
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causing the seedling to wilt and
die (Pythium spp.).
 Reddish-brown lesions on stem
and death of growing tips.
 Lesions are also found on roots
and stem near the soil line that
cause the seedlings to wilt and
eventually die (Rhizoctonia
solani)
 Seed treatment.
 Crop rotation to cereal crops.
 Soil fumigation or solarization
may reduce damping-off in the
field.
 Use pasteurized soil mixes in
nurseries.
 Dark-brown lesions on the
stem and dark-brown lesions
on roots and stems at or near
the
crown,
killing
the
seedlings. (Fusarium species).
Verticillum Wilt
 Stunted and wilted plants.
 Initial symptom is yellowing of
the leaf margins which later
turn brown and cause the plant
to wilt.
 Lengthwise cut of the infected
stem
shows
dark-brown
discoloration in the vascular
tissue.
 Use pasteurized soil mixes in
nurseries.
 Seed treatment.
 Soil sterilization
fumigation.
and
soil
 Crop rotation with
solanaceous
crops
recommended
nonare
 Grafting eggplants on suitable
rootstocks also minimizes the
disease infestation.
 Use of verticilium
resistant varieties.
Phytophthora Blight
 Damping-off of seedlings in
seedbeds, spotting of leaves,
and a collar rot of the main
stem that often results in death
of infected plants.
 Dark-brown spots, watersoaked with a light-colored
border which expands rapidly
and can cover mature fruits in
3 to 4 days.
wilt
 Good water management.
 Avoid prolonged saturation of
the soil or standing water
around the base of trees or
other susceptible plants
 Provide good soil drainage.
 Avoid movement of infested
soil, water, and plant parts
from
an
area
where
Phytophthora
rot
has
developed.
 Plant resistant variety.
 Perform crop rotation.
Phomopsis
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 Circular brown spots with
numerous black fruiting bodies
of the fungus appear on the
leaves
 Fruit develops spots with pale
sunken areas that gradually
turn into a black mummy dry
rot.
 Destroy infected plant material
to reduce initial inoculums
 Plant
pathogen-free
seed
and/or resistant varieties
 Transplants
should
Phomopsis-free
be
 3-4 year crop rotation is
beneficial, since the fungus
does not infect other crops
 Weed control
 Apply
fungicides
in
combination with the above
cultural practices.
Figure 1. Beneficial insects which can be used to control pests in eggplant and other crops.
Lesson 4
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Harvesting and Post-Harvest Operations
The fruit of the eggplant can be harvested any time after they have reached sufficient
size for your intended market. Harvesting starts 46 to 50 DAT, depending on the variety and
intended use of the fruits. Harvest fruits that are still tender and young. In any case, be sure to
harvest fruit before their flesh becomes tough and their seeds begin to harden. Harvest early in
the morning and protect the fruits from the sun, rain, and mechanical damage. Harvest all
fruits from the plants to prolong the fruiting period of the crop. Harvest at least once per week,
although two harvests per week would ensure harvesting most fruit at the optimal stage of
maturity.
Cut the fruit off with a knife or pruning shears, be sure to leave the calyx (cap end)
attached to the fruit. Remove damaged fruits from the harvest and sort according to market
standards. Because the fruit bruises easily, eggplant is not run across a grading line. Fruits are
generally sorted by size, color and field-packed into bushel baskets or cartons, depending on
the market. Prick the bags with a pin for ventilation. Allot two pricks per kilogram of packed
fruits. For some varieties, the fruits can be stored up to five days under this condition.
Let us try this activity:
Let us read:
Food processing of eggplant fruit
Let us remember:
Variety, hardening, cultivation, mulch, manure, ferlilizer, conventional system of production,
weed, irrigation, drenching, drainage, pest, diseases, post-harvest, shelf life, maturity index.
How much have you learned?
1. The scientific name of eggplant is Solanum melongena . True or False ?
2. Eggplant flowers are self- pollinated . True or False ?
3.Soil pH most suitable for eggplant production.
4. Hardening of seedlings is done before transplanting . How long should hardening be
done before transplanting ?
5. This is an eggplant disease characterized by wilting and and the sudden death of the
whole plant.
6.This is a seedling disease with symptoms of having reddish –brown lessions on stem and
death of growing tips.
7. Fruit disease showing spots with pale sunken areas that gradually turn into a black
mummy dry rot.
8.Compute how many seeds are needed to plant half hectare if there are 250 seeds per
gram and a hectare requires 100 grams of eggplant seeds.
9.Harvesting is done by cutting the fruit off with a knife or pruning shears. True or False?
10. The leading eggplant producer in the country.
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(Give a Formative Test, maybe 10-15 items test)
*Note: Follow this format for the preparation of succeeding lessons.
Post Test
(After all the lessons are completed, administer a post test - longer than the formative test), the
post test covers items from Lesson 1 to
Lesson 4)
Suggested Readings/Websites
Glossary
References
Attachments
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For more information, please contact:
________________________________
Name, address ___________________
Telephone No, e-mail address ______
________________________________
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