by either steam or methyl bromide. However, growers in the Palm Beach area usually re-insert

the opposite end of the stake in the ground for the second crop without sterilization.


Diseases

 Methyl bromide is used as a method of control for several diseases found in the

production of eggplant including damping-off, bacterial wilt, southern blight and verticillium

wilt.

 Damping-off is exhibited by rotting at or below the ground level leading to the death of

the seedling. Damping-off can be caused by Fusarium, Pythium, and Rhizoctonia species.

Recommended cultural practices to control damping-off include planting in well drained soils

and not planting in areas containing large amounts of decomposed plant debris. Chemicals are

another method of disease control. The use of fungicide-treated seed can also be an effective

method of control. Table 4.8 lists chemicals used to control damping-off.