How to prepare preparations against spider mites for eggplants in a greenhouse? - briefly
Mix a neem‑oil spray (5 ml per litre water with a few drops of mild liquid soap) and apply to all leaf surfaces, especially undersides, every 7–10 days until mite populations decline; alternatively, use a sulfur‑based miticide according to label directions, ensuring complete coverage.
How to prepare preparations against spider mites for eggplants in a greenhouse? - in detail
Spider mites thrive in warm, dry greenhouse conditions, rapidly colonizing eggplant foliage. Early detection relies on visual inspection of the undersides of leaves for tiny, moving specks and stippled discoloration. Monitoring traps or sticky cards placed near the canopy can confirm population levels.
Effective control combines cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical tactics.
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Cultural measures
- Maintain humidity above 60 % during the day; use misting or humidifiers.
- Keep temperature below 30 °C when possible; ventilate to reduce heat buildup.
- Remove plant debris and weeds that shelter mites.
- Rotate crops annually; avoid planting eggplants in the same bench for more than two seasons.
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Mechanical actions
- Spray plants with a strong jet of water to dislodge mites; repeat every 3–4 days while infestations are low.
- Prune heavily infested shoots and discard them away from the greenhouse.
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Biological agents
- Introduce predatory mites such as Phytoseiulus persimilis or Neoseiulus californicus at a rate of 10–20 predators per square foot.
- Release every 7 days until mite counts fall below economic thresholds.
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Chemical preparations
- Neem oil mixture: 2 % neem seed extract diluted in water, add 0.1 % non‑ionic surfactant, apply to both leaf surfaces until runoff.
- Insecticidal soap: 2 % potassium salts of fatty acids in water, include 0.05 % surfactant, spray early morning or late afternoon.
- Abamectin: 0.5 mg L⁻¹ formulated product, apply with a calibrated sprayer, observe a 48‑hour pre‑harvest interval.
Apply chemical treatments only after confirming mite presence and when humidity is below 70 % to prevent leaf scorch. Rotate products with different modes of action to delay resistance development; do not repeat the same formulation more than two consecutive applications.
Safety precautions include wearing gloves, goggles, and a mask during mixing and spraying. Ensure adequate ventilation after application and record the date, product used, concentration, and observed efficacy for future reference. Regular follow‑up inspections, at least weekly, will verify that mite populations remain below damaging levels throughout the growing cycle.