Recommended Varieties

Black Magic (purple black, oval)
Dusky (purple black, pear oval)
Special Hibush (purple black, pear oval)
Classic (purple, elongated oval)
Kiko (purple, elongated oval)
Ichiban (purple, slender oriental type)
Little Fingers (purple, slender oriental type)
Rosita (rose pink, elongated oval)
Neon (rose pink, pear oval)
Ghostbuster (white, oval)

Link to Resource Guide for Organic Insect and Disease Management

Table of eggplant disease resistant varieties

Planting Methods
This crop can produce fairly good yields in warm regions of New York, particularly during summers with higher than average temperatures. Eggplant is a moderately deep-rooted, indeterminate, shrubby or bushy plant, and many varieties are self-fertile.

Eggplant grows best between 75° and 85°F. Eggplant is very sensitive to frost and requires a warm, long, growing season. The use of plastic mulch often improves yields. Well-drained, deep, sandy loams are ideal for eggplant because it is a heavy feeder.

Set plants into the field after danger of frost is past and daily average temperatures are between 65° and 70°F. The usual planting dates in New York are May 20 to June 10.

Table 19.1 Recommended spacing.
Row	In-row
4-5'	18"-2

1998 Cornell Report: Biodegradable Paper Mulch Observations

1999 Cornell Report: Liquid mulch - a descriptive summary

2000 Cornell Report: Paper Mulch: Can it Replace Plastic? : Upstate (Photos, Text)

2001 Can paper mulch replace black plastic? (.pdf files: text | tables) photos

2002 Alternative Mulch Product (text and photos | table)

2003 Cornell Report: Alternative Mulch Products (text, table1, table2, photos)

2004 Cornell Report: Alternative Mulch Products (text | table1 | table 2 |Tips for Success with Biodegradable Mulches | photos )

2005 Cornell Report: Alternative Mulch Products text | table1 | photos | Tips for Success with Biodegradable Mulches

Commercial Biodegradable Mulch Sources

Crop rotation and disease management article

Fertility

Maintain a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. See Table 19.2 for the recommended rates of nitrogen,phosphorus, and potassium.

Cornell cover crop decision tool

See Cornell article on nutrient deficiency symptoms

Go to Cornell Nutrient Analysis Lab website to find out how to get soil samples tested.

Cornell Soil Health website and manual

SARE Publication: "Building Soils for Better Crops"

SARE publication: "Managing Cover Crops Profitably"

Table 19.2 Recommended nutrients based on soil tests for transplants in bare ground. If using plastic mulch, without fertigation, broadcast and incorporate all fertilizer before laying plastic mulch.
N pounds/acre	P2O5 pounds/acre			K2O pounds/acre			Comments
	Soil Phosphorus Level			Soil Potassium Level
	low	med.	high	low	med.	high
130	150	100	50	150	100	50	Total recommended.
40	100	50	0	100	50	0	Broadcast and disk-in.
40	50	50	50	50	50	50	Apply in bands at planting or shortly after and cultivate.
50	0	0	0	0	0	0	Apply 3 weeks after setting.

Table 19.3 Recommended nutrients based on soil tests for transplants in plastic mulchesw with trickle irrigation and fertigation.
N pounds/acre	P2O5 pounds/acre			K2O pounds/acre			Comments
	Soil Phosphorus Level			Soil Potassium Level
	low	med.	high	low	med.	high
120	150	100	60	150	100	60	Total recommended.
40	90	40	0	90	40	0	Broadcast and disk-in.
20	20	20	20	20	20	20	Apply 1 week after transplanting and every 3-4 weeks thereafter for a total of 4 applications.

Harvesting

Harvest when the fruit is firm, fully formed, glistening, and the seeds and pulp are white. When the fruit is past prime, it becomes dull, and the seeds turn brown. Cut with a sharp knife or shears. Frequent picking will help ensure higher yields. The skin is tender and easily bruised or punctured, so it should be handled with care.

Store at 50° to 54°F and 90 to 95 percent relative humidity. Young immature fruit may be susceptible to chilling injury at 50°F. Storage life is about one week, but older, mature fruit harvested during cooler weather can store for two weeks or more at 50°F.

See UC Davis post harvest guide for eggplant

See Cornell Report: Food Safety Begins on the Farm

See Cornell "Smart Marketing" series.

See USDA grade standards for fresh eggplant.

See USDA Marketing site

See current wholesale prices from US markets

SARE Publication: "Marketing Strategies for Farmers and Ranchers"

SARE Publication: "Direct Marketing Resource Guide"

Disease Management

| Fruit rot | Phytophthora crown or collar rot | Verticillium wilt |

SARE Publication: "A Whole-Farm Approach to Managing Pests"

Penn State fact sheet on eggplant diseases

Time for concern: During fruit development

Key characteristics:

Insect Management

| Flea beetle | Colorado potato beetle | Aphids | Two spotted spider mites |

SARE Publication: "Manage Insects on Your Farm: A Guide to Ecological Strategies"

SARE Publication: "A Whole-Farm Approach to Managing Pests"

Check NYS PIMS (Product, Ingredient, and Manufacturer System) to see if the label is current for New York. SPECIAL NEW YORK RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY. (http://magritte.psur.cornell.edu/pims/)