Eggplant: Hydrated Lime as an Insect Repellent, 1991

Abstract

‘Classic’ eggplant was transplanted 31 May, in Storrs, Connecticut. Plots consisted of 30 plants, 2 ft apart in 3 rows of 10 plants each. Rows were 4 ft apart. Three treatments were replicated 3 times in a randomized complete block design. Asana + Butacide and hydrated lime were applied on 31 May, 7, 14, 21, 28 Jun, 4, 12, and 19 Jul. Upper and lower leaf surfaces of all plants were sprayed with water immediately prior to applying treatments. Water and Asana applications were made with a 3 gal CO2 backpack sprayer operating at 25 psi and delivering 40 gal/acre. Plants were sprayed from the top and from each side, by hand with a single hollow cone nozzle. Hydrated lime was applied with a crank-style duster at 50 lb/acre. All data were collected from the 10 plants in the center row of each plot with the exception of GPA which were counted on 5 leaves on each of 4 center row plants. Plants were rated for percent defoliation at fruit set on 26 Jul. Fruit was harvested, counted and weighed on 9, 16, 23, 29 Aug, 6, 13, and 20 Sep.