How to treat eggplants for ticks in a greenhouse? - briefly
Apply horticultural oil or neem oil to foliage and stems every 7–10 days, keeping greenhouse temperature below 30 °C and humidity low to discourage mite development. Remove heavily infested leaves promptly and supplement treatment with sticky traps for population monitoring.
How to treat eggplants for ticks in a greenhouse? - in detail
Tick infestations on greenhouse‑grown eggplants require an integrated approach that combines sanitation, cultural adjustments, biological control, and, when necessary, targeted chemical measures.
First, eliminate sources of infestation. Remove all plant debris, fallen leaves, and fruit that can harbor ticks. Clean the growing benches, drip‑irrigation lines, and ventilation screens weekly with a mild detergent solution, then rinse thoroughly. Inspect incoming seedlings and isolate any that show signs of parasitism before introduction to the production area.
Second, modify the growing environment to discourage tick development. Maintain relative humidity between 55 % and 70 % and keep temperature fluctuations within the optimal range for eggplant growth (22–28 °C). Reduce excessive moisture on foliage by adjusting irrigation schedules to deliver water directly to the root zone, using drip emitters calibrated to avoid leaf wetness. Increase airflow by opening vents or employing circulating fans, which lowers humidity and disrupts tick questing behavior.
Third, employ biological agents. Introduce predatory mites such as Neoseiulus californicus or Phytoseiulus persimilis; these species consume tick eggs and larvae. Apply a suspension of Beauveria bassiana spores at a concentration of 1 × 10⁸ conidia ml⁻¹, spraying foliage until runoff. Repeat applications every 7–10 days during peak tick activity. Monitor the predator population weekly and supplement releases if counts fall below 10 predators per plant.
Fourth, use chemical controls only as a last resort. Select an acaricide registered for greenhouse use on Solanaceae, such as chlorpyrifos‑methyl or abamectin, and follow label‑specified rates (e.g., 0.1 ml L⁻¹ for abamectin). Apply by fine mist to ensure coverage of leaf undersides where ticks reside. Observe a pre‑harvest interval of at least 7 days and rotate with a different mode of action to prevent resistance.
Finally, implement a monitoring protocol. Place sticky traps at canopy height and inspect weekly for tick presence. Record infestation levels per plant, and adjust the integrated program based on threshold values (e.g., >2 ticks per plant triggers predator augmentation). Document all interventions, dates, and concentrations to maintain a traceable management history.
By adhering to sanitation, environmental control, biological agents, prudent chemical use, and systematic monitoring, growers can effectively suppress tick populations on eggplants cultivated in greenhouse settings.