Influence of Tillage Method and Insecticide on Asian Eggplant Production

Abstract

Many growers in the St. Louis metro east area in Illinois are growing a diversity of vegetable products to satisfy local market demand, including many Asian vegetables. In 2003 and 2004, an experiment was conducted at a grower location in Belleville, Ill., to evaluate the effect of tillage method (tillage vs. no-tillage) following no-tillage corn (Zea mays) and insecticide treatment (imidacloprid, carbaryl, and none) on growth and productivity of three Asian eggplant (Solanum melongena) cultivars (`Ichiban', `Little Fingers', and `Millionaire'). Regardless of cultivar, imidacloprid resulted in greater plant growth for most of the growing season, resulting in higher early and total-season yields compared to the other insecticide treatments. Flea beetle (numerous species, including Epitrix fuscula and Epitrix cucumeris) damage to eggplants can be severe during the early part of the growing season in southern Illinois, which can drastically reduce plant growth and subsequent yields. Although carbaryl was applied at 10-d intervals for most of the growing season, flea beetle damage was similar to the no insecticide treatment and resulted in significant growth reduction and yield loss compared to imidacloprid. Tillage methods did not differ (P > 0.05) for Asian eggplant productivity or flea beetle damage. Cultivar performance was similar over the tillage method and insecticide treatment as no significant interactions (P > 0.05) were detected. However, cultivars differed for productivity with `Millionaire' and `Ichiban' generally providing higher marketable and total yields than `Little Fingers'.