Eggplant

Eggplant

Growing eggplant

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Varieties

Regular

Classic, Dusky, Night Shadow, Megal (elongated).

Long type

Long Tom, Pingtung.

White

Bibo.

See your seed dealer for the most recent variety recommendations.

 

Seed treatment

Use seed treated with Thiram seed protectant.

For control of Pythium damping off, use seed treated with Apron XL LS seed protectant. 

 

Temperature requirements

Transplants grown under glass should be kept at the following temperatures for best results:

Day

21 to 27°C

Night

18 to 21°C

 

Planting

Eggplant requires a long growing season, so it is usually started in the greenhouse. Sow seeds in shallow flats or trays 9 to 10 weeks before transplanting to the field. Constant temperatures must be maintained as young plants are easily checked by cool temperatures or draughts. Growing eggplant using plasticulture provides many benefits. See the “Plasticulture” section of the Vegetable Production Guide: Planting (PDF).

Spacing

Rows 90 to 120 cm apart, plants in the row 45 to 60 cm apart.

 

Fertilizer

A soil test is necessary to determine phosphate and potash requirements. Use the Vegetable Production Guide: Nutrient Management (PDF) for recommendations based on soil test results.

Broadcast and disc in 100 kg/ha (40 kg/acre) nitrogen and all of the required phosphate and potash prior to transplanting.

Side-dress with 40 kg/ha (16 kg/acre) of nitrogen after the first flowers are set.

If mulching and trickle irrigation are used, nutrients should be delivered by fertigation. See the “Fertigation” section of the Vegetable Production Guide: Planting (PDF).

 

Storage

Eggplants should be stored between 7 and 10°C with a recommended humidity of 85 – 90%. The average freezing point for eggplants is -1.1°C.

 

Eggplant weed management

A black or wavelength selective plastic mulch provides excellent weed control and other benefits. See the "Plastic Mulches" section of the Vegetable Production Guide: Planting (PDF).

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Post-emergence

Post-emergence: herbicide application rates
Product Rate PHI* Comments

Sandea

(halosulfuron)

Group 2

35 to 70 g/ha (14.2 to 28.3 g/acre)

 

Apply in 150 L/ha (60 L/acre) of water

 30

(Direct seeded and transplant) Row middle/furrow applications:

  • May be applied between rows of crop.
  • Avoid contact of the herbicide with the planted crop.
  • If plastic is used on the planted row, adjust equipment to keep the application off the plastic.
  • Reduce rate and spray volume in proportion to area actually sprayed.
  • Controls broadleaf weeds including ladysthumb, wild mustard, yellow nutsedge and redroot pigweed.
  • Suppresses horsetail, shepherd's purse and smartweed.
  • Treat actively growing nutsedge plants at the 3 to 5 leaf stage.  Heavy infestations may require sequential applications.
  • A sequential application may be necessary for some annual and perennial weeds.
  • Repeat using a 21 day interval.
  • Do not apply more than 140 g/ha (57 g/acre) of product per season.
  • Wait to overhead sprinkler irrigate for 2 to 3 days after application.
  • If a timely soil cultivation is necessary to improve control, wait 7 to 10 days after treatment.
  • Applications should be made to actively growing weeds at the heights defined in the "USE RATE GUIDE" section of the label.
  • Observe plantback interval of 15 months for cabbage and carrots, 18 months for broccoli and cauliflower, 24 months for spinach and 36 months for beets.  See label for other crops listed.
  • Do not enter treated area for 12 hours.

*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF).
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF). 

 

Eggplant insect management

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Aphids

These small, soft, sucking insects cluster on growing tips or on leaves and cause wilting and yellowing.

Control

See table below.

Chemical control of aphids
Product Rate PHI* Comments

Actara 25WG

(thiamethoxam)

Group 4
Field spray application:
105 g/ha
(42 g/acre)

Apply in 100 L/ha
(40 L/acre) of water
 1
  • Maximum of 2 foliar applications per season.
  • Repeat using a 7 day interval.
  • Do not apply following an in-furrow or soil application of Actara 240 SC.
  • Observe a 120 day plantback interval for crops not on this label.
  • Do not enter treated area for 12 hours.
  • Highly toxic to bees.  Do not apply or allow to drift onto blooming crops or weeds if bees are foraging in or adjacent to the treatment area.

Admire 240 F/ Alias 240 SC

(imidacloprid)

Group 4
 200 mL/ha
(80 mL/acre)		 7
  • Apply as a foliar spray after transplanting.
  • Repeat using a 5 day interval.
  • Do not make more than 2 applications per year.
  • Do not make a foliar application following a soil or in-furrow treatment using a Group 4 insecticide.
  • Highly toxic to bees.  Do not apply or allow to drift to blooming crops or weeds if bees are visiting the treatment area.
  • Do not re-enter treated area for 24 hours.

Sivanto Prime

(flupyradifurone)
Group 4D

Soil Application:

Up to 26,650 plants per ha:   750 mL per 10,000 plants

Up to 20,000 plants per ha: 1000 mL per 10,000 plants		 45
  • Apply using chemigation into the root-zone through low-pressure drip, trickle, micro-sprinkler or equivalent equipment.
  • Do not use in greenhouses. 
  • Do not follow a soil application of Sivanto Prime with a foliar application of Sivanto Prime or other Group 4D insecticide.
  • Do not apply more than  2000 mL/ha (810 mL/acre) of product per season.
  • Do not enter treated areas for 12 hours.

Sivanto Prime

(flupyradifurone)
Group 4D

Foliar Application:

500 to 750 mL/ha (200 to 300 mL/acre)

 7
  • Do not use in greenhouses. 
  • Repeat at a 7 day interval.
  • Do not make a foliar application following a soil application of Sivanto Prime or other Group 4D insecticide.
  • Do not exceed a total of 2000 mL/ha (810 mL/acre) of product per season.
  • Toxic to bees.  Do not apply to flowering crops or weeds if bees are visiting the treatment area.
  • Do not enter treated areas for 12 hours.

Beleaf 50SG

(flonicamid)
 
Group 9C
 120 to 160 g/ha
(50 to 65 g/acre)

Apply in 94 L/ha (38L/acre) of water. 		0
  • Repeat at 7 day intervals as needed.
  • Do not apply more than 3 times per year.
  • Do not apply more than 480 g/ha (200 g/acre) of product per season.
  • Do not re-enter treated area for 12 hours.

Versys

(afidopyropen)

Group 9D

100 mL/ha

(40 mL/acre)

Apply in 100 L/ha (40 L/acre) of water		 0
  • Apply as a groundspray.
  • Do not apply in greenhouses.
  • Repeat using a 7 day interval.
  • Do not apply more than 4 times per year.
  • Ensure thorough coverage.
  • Do not apply more than 1.25 L/ha (506 mL/acre) per year.
  • During the crop blooming period, apply only in the evening when most bees are not foraging.
  • Observe a plantback interval of 30 days for crops not listed.
  • Do not re-enter for 12 hours.

Movento

(spirotetramat)

Group 23
 220 to 365 mL/ha
(90 to 150 mL/acre)

Apply in 300 L/ha
(120 L/acre) of water		 1
  • Should be used with one of the following adjuvants: non-ionic (eg. Agral 90 or Ag-Surf) or methylated seed oil (eg. Hasten).
  • Maximum allowed per crop season: 730 mL/ha (295 mL/acre).
  • Repeat at 7 day intervals.
  • Do not enter treated area for 12 hours.
  • Toxic to bees.  Do not apply during crop flowering period or when flowering weeds are present in the field.

Exirel

(cyantraniliprole)
 
Group 28
500 to 1500 mL/ha
(200 to 600 mL/acre)
 
Apply in 100 L/ha (40 L/acre) of water
 1
  • Do not make more than 4 applications per growing season.
  • Repeat using a 5 day interval.
  • For aphids, use with an adjuvant such as Hasten NT at a rate of 0.25% v/v or MSO Concentrate with Leci-Tech at a rate of 0.5% v/v.
  • Do not apply more than 4.5 L/ha (1.8 L/acre) per season.
  • Toxic to bees and certain beneficial insects.  Apply early in the morning or late in the evening when bees are not active.
  • Note:  Do not tank-mix or apply in sequence with strobilurin-, copper- or captan-containing fungicides.
  • Observe a plantback interval of 30 days for legume vegetables, cereals, grass, crop group 1A (inlcuding beets, carrots, radish, parsnip, turnip) and crop group 2 (inlcuding beet greens and turnip greens). 
  • Observe a plantback interval of 1 year for crops not on this label.
  • Do not enter treated area for 12 hours.

*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF).
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF).

 

Flea beetles

Small, active black, jumping beetles eat holes in leaves, giving a shot-holed appearance. Young plants may be destroyed.

Control

Thorough coverage of the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves with one of the sprays listed in the table below is essential.

Chemical control of flea beetles
Product Rate PHI* Comments

Minecto Pro

(abamectin/ cyantraniliprole)

Group 6 & 28

385 to 741 mL/ha

(156 to 300 mL/acre)

Apply in 200 L/ha (80 L/acre) of water 		7
  • Use with 0.1 to 0.5% v/v non-ionic surfactant in the spray mixture.
  • Ensure thorough coverage.
  • Repeat using a 7 day interval.
  • Do not apply more than 3 times per season using the high rate.
  • Do not apply more than 5 times per season using the low rate.
  • Do not apply more than 2.223 L/ha (900 mL/acre) per season.
  • Do not apply for 60 days following an in-furrow or soil application or seed piece treatment with any group 28 insecticide.
  • Check label for plantback intervals.
  • Do not re-enter for 12 hours.

Exirel

(cyantraniliprole)
 
Group 28
  
500 to 1000 mL/ha
(200 to 400 mL/acre)
 
Apply in 100 L/ha (40 L/acre) of water
 1
  • Do not make more than 4 applications per growing season.
  • Repeat using a 5 day interval.
  • For aphids, use with an adjuvant such as Hasten NT at a rate of 0.25% v/v or MSO Concentrate with Leci-Tech at a rate of 0.5% v/v.
  • Do not apply more than 4.5 L/ha (1.8 L/acre) per season.
  • Toxic to bees and certain beneficial insects.  Apply early in the morning or late in the evening when bees are not active.
  • Note:  Do not tank-mix or apply in sequence with strobilurin-, copper- or captan-containing fungicides.
  • Observe a plantback interval of 30 days for legume vegetables, cereals, grass, crop group 1A (inlcuding beets, carrots, radish, parsnip, turnip) and crop group 2 (inlcuding beet greens and turnip greens). 
  • Observe a plantback interval of 1 year for crops not on this label.
  • Do not enter treated area for 12 hours.

Sevin XLR

(carbaryl)

Group 1A
 2.5 L/ha
(1.0 L/acre)		 2
  • Maximum of 2 applications per year.
  • Repeat using a 7 day interval.
  • Toxic to bees.  Avoid applying durign crop blooming period.  If necessary to treat during this time, make applications in the evening to avoid foraging bees.
  • Do not enter treated area for hand-harvesting or hand-line irrigation for 7 days.  Do not re-enter for scouting, turning, weeding, tying or staking for 3 days.

*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF).
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF).

 

Spidermites

Spidermites are tiny, 8-legged, spider-like animals. Their feeding causes leaves to become dry and bronzed with yellow and brown spots and covered with a fine webbing. Mites increase in number rapidly during hot, dry weather. There are several native predators, but these may not build up fast enough to keep mite levels in check.

Control

See table below.

Chemical control of spidermites/ mites
Product Rate PHI* Comments

Malathion 85E

(malathion)

Group 1B
535 to 1345 mL/ha
(216 to 544 mL/acre)
 
Apply in 1000 L/ha (405 L/acre) of water
3
  • Repeat using a 7 day interval.
  • Do not make more than 4 applications per year.
  • Best control is obtained when temperature is above 20°C.
  • Toxic to fish.
  • Do not apply after expiry date on the container label.
  • Do not re-enter treated area for 12 hours.
  • Also controls aphids.  See label for details.

Danitol

(fenpropathrin)

Group 3

779 mL/ha (315 mL/ac)

Apply in 250 L/ha 100 L/ac) of water

Hand harvesting or mechanically assisted harvesting:  7

 

Mechanical harvesting:  3
  • Registered for two-spotted spider mite.
  • Apply when mite populations are less than 5 motiles per leaf.
  • Do not apply more than 1 time per year.
  • Do not apply more than 779 mL/ha (315 mL/acre) per year.
  • Do not tankmix with copper formulations.
  • Toxic to bees, birds, small wild mammals and certain beneficial arthropods.
  • Avoid applications when crop is in bloom, or make applications during evening when most bees are not foraging.
  • A vegetative field strip is required between the field edge and adjacent downhill aquatic habitats (check label for details).
  • Observe a plantback interval for 12 months for crops not listed on this label.
  • Do not re-enter treated area for 11 days for handset irrigation, 7 days for tying or training and 24 hours for all other activities.

Minecto Pro

(abamectin/ cyantraniliprole)

Group 6 & 28

385 to 670 mL/ha

(156 to 271 mL/acre)

Apply in 200 L/ha (80 L/acre) of water

 7
  • Use with 0.1 to 0.5% v/v non-ionic surfactant in the spray mixture.
  • Apply when mites 1st appear.
  • Repeat using a 7 day interval.
  • Do not apply more than 3 times per season using the high rate.
  • Do not apply more than 5 times per season using the low rate.
  • Do not apply more than 2.223 L/ha (900 mL/acre) per season.
  • Do not apply for 60 days following an in-furrow or soil application or seed piece treatment with any group 28 insecticide.
  • Check label for plantback intervals.
  • Do not re-enter for 12 hours.

Kanemite 15 SC

(acequinocyl)
 
Group 20B
 2.1 L/ha
(0.8 L/acre)

Apply in 500 to 1800 L/ha (200 to 725 L/acre) of water		 1
  • Controls two spotted spider mite.
  • Repeat at a 21 day interval.
  • Do not apply more than twice per year.
  • Do not apply more than 4.1 L/ha (1.6 L/acre) per season.
  • Observe a plantback interval of 120 days for leafy vegetables and 30 days for all other crops not listed.
  • Do not enter treated area for 12 hours.

Oberon

(spiromesifen)

Group 23
 500 to 600 mL/ha
(200 to 240 mL/acre)

Apply in 100 L/ha (40 L/acre) of water 		7
  • Repeat at 7 day intervals.
  • Do not make more than 3 applications per season.
  • Do not enter treated area for 12 hours.

Acramite 50WS

(bifenazate)
 
Group 25

851 g/ha (344 g/acre) -  rate is equivalent to 15 pouches per 4 ha

Apply in 500 L/ha (200 L/acre) of water.

 3
  • Controls two spotted spider mite.
  • Do not apply more than once per year.
  • Do not enter treated area for 12 hours.

Purespray Green Spray Oil 13E

(mineral oil)
 10 L of product in 1000 L of water (1% solution) N/A
  • Suppression only.
  • Use up to 1000 L/ha (400 L/acre) spray volume to ensure thorough coverage.
  • Repeat at 7 to 14 day intervals.
  • Do not make more than 8 summer spray applications per growing season.
  • For first use on a new variety, test spray a small field area to check for plant tolerance prior to adoption as a general field practice.
  • Do not apply during periods of drought, when plants exhibit moisture stress. 
  • Do not enter treated area for 12 hours.
  • Purespray Green Spray Oil 13E (PCP# 27666) is OMRI-Canada listed.  Check with your certiification body before using in an organic operation.

*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF).
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF).

OMRI-Canada = Organic Materials Review Institute of Canada
OMRI-USA = Organic Materials Review Institute of USA
 

Colorado potato beetle

Chemical control of Colorado potato beetle
Product Rate PHI* Comments

Sevin XLR

(carbaryl)

Group 1A
1.25 L/ha
(500 mL/acre)
 2
  • Maximum of 2 applications per year.
  • Repeat using a 7 day interval.
  • To establish the level of resistance, carry out a diptest early in the season before spraying.
  • Toxic to bees.  Avoid applying during crop blooming period.  If necessary to treat during this time, make applications in the evening to avoid foraging bees.
  • Do not enter treated area for hand-harvesting or hand-line irrigation for 7 days.  Do not re-enter for scouting, turning, weeding, tying or staking for 3 days.

Admire 240 F

(imidacloprid)

Group 4
Transplant soil application:
 
7 to 12 mL per 100 m of row
 
(see rate conversion chart of label for row spacing calculations)

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

7
  • Use one of the following methods:
  • Apply specified dosage in 2000 L/ha (800 L/ac) of water as a narrow (5 cm or less) surface band over the seedline during planting.
  • Seedlings or established transplants: apply in 200 L/ha (80 L/ac) of water as a subsurface side-dress on both sides of each row. Product must be incorporated into the root zone.
  • Post-seeding drench or transplant-water drench: use higher water volumes to thoroughly wet the soil
  • Do not apply more than once per season as a soil application.
  • Do not make any subsequent application of a group 4 insecticide.

Alias 240 SC

(imidacloprid)

Group 4
Transplant soil application:
 
7 to 12 mL per 100 m of row
 70
  • Apply in-furrow at transplanting as a drench in the transplanting water or banded over the row directed at the root zone.
  • Do not make more than one soil application per season.
  • Do not make any subsequent application of a group 4 insecticide.

Admire 240 F/ Alias 240 SC

(imidacloprid)

Group 4
 Foliar Spray:  200 mL/ha
(80 mL/acre)		 7
  • Apply as a foliar spray after transplanting.
  • Repeat using a 5 day interval.
  • Do not make more than 2 applications per year.
  • Do not make a foliar application following a soil or in-furrow treatment using a Group 4 insecticide.
  • Highly toxic to bees.  Do not apply or allow to drift to blooming crops or weeds if bees are visiting the treatment area.
  • Do not re-enter treated area for 24 hours.

Sivanto Prime

(flupyradifurone)
 
Group 4D

Foliar:

aphids:  500 to 750 mL/ha (200 to 300 mL/acre)

CPB:  750 to 1000 mL/ha (300 to 400 mL/acre)

Apply in at least 100 L/ha (40 L/acre) of water		 7
  • Do not use in greenhouses. 
  • Repeat at a 7 day interval.
  • Do not make a foliar application of Sivanto Prime following a soil application of Sivanto Prime or other Group 4D insecticide.
  • Do not exceed a total of 2000 mL/ha (810 mL/acre) of product per season.
  • Toxic to bees.  Do not apply to flowering crops or weeds if bees are visiting the treatment area.
  • Do not enter treated areas for 12 hours.

Entrust 80

(spinosad)
 
Group 5
 
Used in organics
 50 g/ha
(20 g/acre)		 1
  • Repeat using 7 to 10 day intervals.
  • Do not apply more than 3 times per year.
  • Ensure thorough coverage.
  • Highly toxic to bees.  Do not apply if bees are visiting the area.  
  • Harmful to parasitoids and predatory mites.  Slightly harmful to foliage-dwelling predators.
  • Entrust products are OMRI-USA listed.  Check with your certification body before using in an organic operation.
  • Do not enter treated area until residue has dried.

Entrust

(spinosad)
 
Group 5
 
Used in organics
167 mL/ha 
(68 mL/acre)
 1
  • Repeat using 7 to 10 day intervals.
  • Do not apply more than 3 times per year.
  • Ensure thorough coverage.
  • Highly toxic to bees.  Do not apply if bees are visiting the area.  
  • Harmful to parasitoids and predatory mites.  Slightly harmful to foliage-dwelling predators.
  • Entrust products are OMRI-USA listed.  Check with your certification body before using in an organic operation.
  • Do not enter treated area until residue has dried.

Success

(spinosad)
 
Group 5
 83 mL/ha
(34 mL/acre)		 1
  • Repeat using 7 to 10 day intervals.
  • Do not apply more than 3 times per year.
  • Ensure thorough coverage.
  • Highly toxic to bees.  Do not apply if bees are visiting the area.  
  • Harmful to parasitoids and predatory mites.  Slightly harmful to foliage-dwelling predators.
  • Do not enter treated area until residue has dried.

Minecto Pro

(abamectin/ cyantraniliprole)

Group 6 & 28

556 to 670 mL/ha

(225 to 271 mL/acre)

Apply in 200 L/ha (80 L/acre) of water

 7
  • Use with 0.1 to 0.5% v/v non-ionic surfactant in the spray mixture.
  • Make 1st application after approximately 50% of the egg masses have hatched and larvae are present.
  • If 2 applications are necessary, limit them to a single CPB generation per crop.
  • Ensure thorough coverage.
  • Repeat using a 7 day interval.
  • Do not apply more than 3 times per season using the high rate.
  • Do not apply more than 5 times per season using the low rate.
  • Do not apply more than 2.223 L/ha (900 mL/acre) per season.
  • Do not apply for 60 days following an in-furrow or soil application or seed piece treatment with any group 28 insecticide.
  • Check label for plantback intervals.
  • Do not re-enter for 12 hours.

Coragen

(chlorantraniliprole)

Group 28
 250 to 375 mL/ha
(100 to 150 mL/acre)

Apply in 100 L/ha (40 L/acre) of water 		1
  • Repeat at 5 day intervals.
  • Do not make more than 4 applications per season.
  • Do not enter treated area for 12 hours.

Exirel

(cyantraniliprole)
 
Group 28
750 to 1000 mL/ha
(300 to 400 mL/acre)
 
Apply in 100 L/ha (40 L/acre) of water
 1
  • Do not make more than 4 applications per growing season.
  • Repeat using a 7 to 14 day interval.
  • Do not apply more than 4.5 L/ha (1.8 L/acre) per season.
  • Toxic to bees and certain beneficial insects.  Apply early in the morning or late in the evening when bees are not active.
  • Note:  Do not tank-mix or apply in sequence with strobilurin-, copper- or captan-containing fungicides.
  • Observe a plantback interval of 30 days for legume vegetables, cereals, grass, crop group 1A (inlcuding beets, carrots, radish, parsnip, turnip) and crop group 2 (inlcuding beet greens and turnip greens). 
  • Observe a plantback interval of 1 year for crops not on this label.
  • Do not enter treated area for 12 hours.

Harvanta

(cyclaniliprole)

Group 28

0.8 to 1.2 L/ha
(324 to 485 mL/acre)

Apply in 200 to 1000 L/ha (80 to 400 L/acre) of water		 1
  • Do not use in the greenhouse.
  • Repeat using a 5 day interval.
  • Do not make more than 4 applications per crop per year.
  • Do not apply more than 4.8 L/ha (1.9 L/acre) per year.
  • Toxic to bees.
  • Observe a plantback interval of 30 days for crops not listed.
  • Do not re-enter treated area for 12 hours.

Clutch 50 WDG

(clothianidin)
 70 to 105 g/ha
(30 to 40 g/acre)		 7
  • Repeat at 7 day interval.
  • Do not apply more than twice per season.
  • Toxic to bees. Do not apply to flowering crops if bees are foraging.
  • Do not use in areas treated with clothianidin during the previous season.
  • Observe a one year plantback interval for leafy, root and tuber vegetables (except potato).
  • Do not enter treated areas for 12 hours.
  • Group 4A insecticides.
  • Also controls aphids.  See label for details.

*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF).
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF).

OMRI-Canada = Organic Materials Review Institute of Canada
OMRI-USA = Organic Materials Review Institute of USA

 

Eggplant disease management

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Verticillium wilt

The causal fungus is soil or seed-borne. First, lower leaves wilt and drop, then petioles turn yellow and wither and, finally, the entire plant may wilt. The disease is usually worse on light, sandy soils in the Interior, and where root lesion nematodes are also present.

Control

  • Disinfect used seedling trays prior to use. Consult the "Vegetable Transplants" section of the Vegetable Production Guide: Planting (PDF) for more information.
  • Grow seedlings in sterilized soil or soilless mix.
  • Use seed treated with Thiram seed protectant.
  • Follow a four-year rotation plan, avoiding crops such as potatoes, tomatoes, melons and peppers which are susceptible to Verticillium wilt.
  • Choose a soil that is well-drained and not underlain by hardpan.
  • Do not plant out until soil temperature has reached 14°C or, if possible, 16°C.
  • Avoid over-watering and maintain a high humus content in the soil.
  • Select resistant varieties.
 

Root rot

RootShield WP (Trichoderma harzianum Rifai strain KRL-AG2) is a biological fungicide for the suppression of Root Rot in greenhouse vegetable transplants.  When applied to transplants, greenhouse planting mix or soil, the product grows into plant roots as they develop to protect roots against Pythium, Rhizoctonia and Fusarium. 

Suppression

  • Suspend RootShield WP using a spray volume of 30 to 45 g/100 L and apply at the rate of 55 to 110 g per cubic metre (loose) of greenhouse potting mix, soil or planting beds. 
  • Apply using hand-held backpack or ground spray equipment. 
  • Becomes active when soil temperatures are above 10 degrees C and is not effective while soils remain cold.
  • More effective at suppression of root rot in neutral or acidic soils.  
  • Should be used within 12 months of the date of manufacture. 
  • Contains the allergens wheat and sulfites.

RootShield WP is used in organics. It is OMRI-USA listed. OMRI-USA = Organic Materials Review Institute of USA. Check with your certification body before using in an organic operation.

 

Nematodes

Chemical control of nematodes
Product Rate PHI* Comments

Nimitz

(fluensulfone)

Broadcast: 4 to 8 L/ha

(1.6 to 3.2 L/acre)

Apply in 300 L/ha (120 L/acre) of water

 N/A
  • Controls root-knot (Meloidogyne spp.) and root lesion (Pratylenchus spp.) nematodes.
  • Use when nematodes are present.
  • Apply in any season when soil to be treated has sufficient moisture to support plant growth.
  • Ensure that soil is free of clods, debris and plant residues before application.
  • Apply uniformly to the soil 7 days before transplanting by one of the following methods:  broadcast incorporated, or banded and incorporated.
  • Do not use in conjunction with direct seeded crops.
  • If applying using a banded and incorporated method, see label for the rate required based on bed width, length and use rate.
  • Use a boom height of 60 cm or less above the crop or ground. 
  • Incorporate thoroughly by mechanical means to a depth of 15 to 20 cm.
  • Irrigate lightly using 1.25 to 2.50 cm of water, 1 to 5 days after application.
  • Treated areas can be covered with plastic or left uncovered according to planting practices.
  • Resume a normal irrigation schedule immediately after transplanting.
  • Do not make more than 1 application per crop, per year.
  • Do not apply more than 8 L/ha (3.2 L/acre) per year.
  •  Do not use in greenhouses.
  • Do not feed treated crop or crop residues to animals.
  • Observe a plantback interval of one year for crops not listed.
  • Toxic to certain beneficial insects.
  • Do not re-enter for 12 hours.
  • See label for drip (trickle) chemigation directions.

*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF).
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF).