Growing eggplant in harsh weather in Russia is not an easy task. You can get healthy seedlings and a decent harvest if you create comfortable conditions, provide watering and the right temperature. But, it would seem, all the rules of planting and care are observed, and the seedlings begin to hurt, turn yellow, develop poorly. The question that most often concerns summer residents is: "Why do eggplant leaves turn yellow, and is this normal?"
It should immediately be said that the massive yellowing of the lower leaves is an abnormal phenomenon. This is a signal that the eggplant has been attacked by a virus, fungus, or pest. In addition, there are many more explanations for why eggplant leaves turn yellow. Let's start with the most unpleasant diseases.
Fusarium is the enemy of eggplant and the cause of yellowing leaves.
It is fusarium that destroys the leaves, causing their yellowing, and then death. If the problem is not noticed in time, the whole plant dies. Fusariosis is a fungal disease that overtakes a plant through infected seed material or soil. The fungus penetrates the root system. The disease can be recognized by a brown section of the stem: a dark section is the result of the life of the fungus in the cells of the plant. The basal neck is covered with a pink bloom (spores of a propagating fungus). The Fusarium pathogen fungus remains viable for many years, so it is quite difficult to deal with it.
To prevent this scourge advise:
- Observe crop rotation. This is especially true for eggplant, which can be grown in its former place only after 4 years.
- Purchased or harvested seeds must be pickled in a potassium permanganate solution.
- Planting in the ground only needs healthy seedlings.
- Use phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.
Adapting seedlings to a new place and growing conditions
If the leaves of the eggplant turn yellow after planting in a permanent place, it is possible that the plants have not yet adapted to new conditions. It is noticed that eggplant does not tolerate transplant very well. Therefore, they are planted very carefully, trying not to damage the roots. In addition, this crop is very demanding on growing conditions and soil quality. Eggplants cannot stand shade, low night temperatures, frosts, insufficient watering. If, as a result of frosts, the temperature drops below +13 degrees, one need not wonder why the leaves turn yellow in eggplant - such a cold is fatal for them. If the plants are provided with proper care, their growth will resume.
Proper soil is the key to success!
Another reason that often causes the lower leaves of eggplants to turn yellow can be soil composition. In a greenhouse, infertile, poorly fertilized soil must be replaced with compost, humus or neutral peat. The application of mineral phosphorus fertilizers will accelerate the growth and fruit ovary. No need to be afraid to “overfeed” the soil. From the added organic matter, the plant will take only the necessary nutrients, and the question "Why do eggplant leaves turn yellow?" You won’t be bothered anymore.
The soil needs to be cleaned of weeds, loosen, add sawdust (stale, dark color). The soil must be moisture-resistant, crumbly, in no case acidic. And fresh manure as a fertilizer is generally unacceptable! The land on which tomatoes, peppers or potatoes grew does not work. But the soil from under the cucumbers or cabbage will be an excellent basis for the beds with eggplant.