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Being a relatively unpretentious crop, eggplants, however, are susceptible to many diseases, react sharply to changes in soil composition and temperature changes. In most cases, the vegetable shows its dissatisfaction with the change in color of the leaves – they turn yellow and curl. Despite the fact that the greenhouse creates the most comfortable conditions for eggplant, sometimes even experienced gardeners miss the little things that lead to negative growth. Why eggplant leaves turn yellow, what to do and how to create favorable conditions for growth in a greenhouse – you will learn in this article.
Why do the leaves turn yellow
There are many reasons why eggplant leaves turn yellow. Their condition is negatively affected by excessive watering, especially with cold water, or, conversely, a lack of moisture in the soil. The plant reacts sharply to the lack of nitrogen fertilizers and potassium, which ensure normal vegetative processes. The harmful effects of fungal microflora (powdery mildew, downy mildew, copperhead, anthracnose) and harmful insects such as aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies cannot be ruled out.
The quality of seeds should not be discounted – collected from diseased plants or purchased from unverified producers, they seriously affect the quality and growth pattern of eggplant. With improper cultivation of seedlings, whether it is insufficient fertilizer or an excess of water, the leaves of adult plants may turn yellow.
Sunlight, which is vital for eggplants, can both save the plant and destroy it. With a lack of lighting at all stages of growth, eggplant leaves turn yellow. Both cloudy weather and excessive greenery of bushes that do not stepchild can lead to this. In any case, it is important to avoid such a situation. An overabundance of lighting also harms the plant – the leaves get burned, unable to cope with a large amount of light. Sometimes the leaves turn yellow due to watering, the drops of water remaining on the plate become lenses that enhance the sun’s rays. While the former is more common in a greenhouse, always be on the lookout for the latter.
Often the problem lies in the eggplant variety. It may not be suitable for your area or the composition of the soil in which you grow it. However, more often the problem lies in the wrong crop rotation, when eggplants are grown in a greenhouse for two years in a row in the same place or planted in beds after peppers or tomatoes.
If the leaves of the seedlings turn yellow immediately after transplanting, then this is a temporary problem – after a short period of adaptation, the plant will take on a healthy, strong appearance.
Why do fruits turn yellow
Why can eggplant fruits turn yellow during greenhouse cultivation? Often this is a symptom of a viral disease – internal necrosis. It begins with brown spots on the fruits, which, within a few days, seem to fade, turning yellow. Sometimes these are the consequences of advanced late blight, which affects a vegetable at any stage of development. Late blight actively develops with excessive humidity and sudden changes in air temperature.
Finally, one of the reasons for the yellowing of fruits may be a banal lack of mineral fertilizers. Simply put, the eggplant does not have the resource to properly nourish the fruits with all the necessary substances, they gradually turn yellow and wither.
Video “Why do eggplant leaves wither?”
This video reveals the causes of some plant diseases.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter yellowing of eggplant leaves or fruits while growing in a greenhouse, you need to act without delay. It is important to do everything to find out which plant care items are respected and which are not.
In any case, it is recommended to do outside root top dressing with nitrogen and potassium. You can supplement it with a yeast or milk solution, increasing the nutrient content of the soil.
If overwatering or using cold water, stop watering for a few days to dry out the soil. In order not to get stone soil after drying, loosen the ground daily, so you will not only organize the flow of fresh air to the roots, but also make it easier for yourself during subsequent feeding.
Be sure to remove all weeds from the beds in the greenhouse. One of the reasons why the leaves turn yellow is the lack of nutrients that weeds absorb. Spend pinching, it is necessary for eggplant along with watering and sunlight. Pasynkovanie, in addition to removing unnecessary shoots, helps to solve the problem with a lack of light. It also has a positive effect on eggplant fruiting, saving more nutrient resources for the fruit.
If the leaves turn yellow due to the fungal microflora activated in the greenhouse, then it is important not to delay the treatment of plants with fungicides. Depending on the type of disease, a certain pesticide is selected, or (if the fruiting period has begun), folk remedies are used. For example, spraying with whey, infusion of onion peel or garlic, soap solution. Be sure to carry out root feeding to support the plant during a difficult period.
The active activity of harmful insects that damage the leaves requires complex cultivation of the land and plants in the greenhouse. Why is it important to take a holistic approach? Because most insects, being driven from vegetables, move to the upper layers of the soil, or else hide in the base of the greenhouse.
Prevention
Why it is important to prevent diseases that affect the leaves and stems of plants is understandable. Certainly does not raise the question “Why?” following the rules “do not water with cold water”, “regular stepson”, “loosen the ground”, “remove weeds”, “give enough sunlight”. These are natural things that fit into the concept of “Prevention is easier than cure”.
As a preventive measure, try to ventilate the greenhouse as often as possible. Stale air has a negative effect on the appearance of plant leaves, in addition, condensate is removed from the walls of the greenhouse, which has a positive effect on the growth of eggplant, but negatively on the growth of fungal microflora.
Maintain a stable air temperature, do not allow sudden changes in it, as this causes significant harm to eggplants. Keep an eye on watering, do not be afraid to add organic elements, water with infusions and decoctions. Thus, you will always maintain a favorable amount of nutrients in the soil for growth.
Be sure to remove weeds, as well as the tops of obsolete plants, to avoid the invasion of harmful insects or fungus. In addition, this will save more trace elements for the growing eggplant.
Video “Why do seedling leaves wither?”
The causes of sluggish leaves in seedlings are described in this video.
