Fruit rot in brinjal is a common problem faced by farmers all over the world. This disease is caused by different types of fungi and can occur at any stage of brinjal’s growth. Fruit rot makes the fruit unmarketable, thus causing significant economic losses. Therefore, controlling fruit rot in brinjal is crucial for getting a successful harvest. Here are some ways to control fruit rot in brinjal.
1. Crop rotation
Crop rotation is the most fundamental technique used in agriculture to control diseases. It involves growing different crops in rotation, which helps prevent the buildup of fungal spores in the soil. Farmers who practice crop rotation show less incidence of fruit rot in brinjal.
2. Fungicides
Fungicides are chemical substances that control and prevent infections by fungi. They act by killing or inhibiting the growth of the fungal spores responsible for fruit rot. For effective control of fruit rot in brinjal, farmers should apply fungicides at the recommended time and rates.
3. Sanitation
Sanitation involves the removal of diseased or infected plant parts to reduce the spread of the disease. In the case of fruit rot in brinjal, farmers should remove infected fruits and other plant parts. This helps to prevent the spread of spores, which can infect healthy plants.
4. Cultural practices
Proper cultural practices can help reduce the incidence of fruit rot in brinjal. These practices include proper soil and plant nutrition, timely irrigation, and efficient drainage. Proper spacing and pruning can also prevent the growth of fungal spores in dense brinjal plants.
5. Biological control
Biological control involves the use of natural enemies of the fungal spores to control the disease. One such natural enemy is the Trichoderma fungus. Trichoderma acts by inhibiting the growth of the fungal spores that cause fruit rot. Farmers can use Trichoderma-based biocontrol products to control fruit rot in brinjal.
In conclusion, controlling fruit rot in brinjal requires a combination of different techniques. Farmers must adopt integrated pest management practices to reduce the risk of infection by the fungal spores that cause fruit rot. Agricultural experts advise farmers to practice crop rotation, use fungicides appropriately, maintain proper sanitation, adopt proper cultural practices and use biological control methods to control fruit rot in brinjal effectively.