Brinjal
Little Leaf of Brinjal
Phytoplasma
Bacteria
5 mins to read
In a Nutshell
- Reduced size of leaves.
- Yellowing of leaves.
- Inhibition of fruit production.
Can also be found in
Brinjal
Symptoms
Infected plants are characterized by small, soft, thin and malformed leaves with light yellow color. Plants of thorny varieties become smooth and lose their thorns. The plants are generally stunted in growth and have shorter internodes and petioles. They develop an enormous amount of branches and roots than healthy plants which gives them a bushy appearance and hence also known as Witches Broom. The flower parts (phyllody) become deformed and mostly sterile. The developing fruits become hard, tough and fail to mature. As the disease progresses, new growing leaves only grow 1/3 - 1/4 of its original size.
Recommendations
Organic Control
Beneficial insects such as lacewing, damsel bug, minute pirate bug are voracious predators of both the egg and larval stage of these insects.
Chemical Control
Always consider an integrated approach with preventive measures together with biological treatments, if available. Imidacloprid, Cypermethrin and Dimethoate can be used to suppress insect vectors.
What caused it?
The symptoms are caused by bacteria-like parasites called phytoplasma. The plant-to-plant transmission is mostly through insect vectors, different species of leafhoppers, especially Hishimonas phycitis. It can affect plants in all growth stages.
Preventive Measures
- Plant disease-resistant varieties such as Padagoda.
- Avoid cultivating alternative host plants like Chilli/Pepper.
- Provide adequate space while planting ideally 90x75 cm.
- Adjust sowing time to avoid the insect vector's peak season.
- Regularly monitor the field for signs of leafhopper infestation ensure it is disease-free.
- Remove and destroy the infected plants immediately.
- Get rid of susceptible host plants (weeds).
- Use barrier crops around your field that hinder the vector to directly infest your crop.
- Conserve natural enemies and beneficial insects.
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