Eggplant fruit and shoot borer still a problem for farmers |26 August 2016

The eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB) which was first reported in 2008 by local farmers on Praslin then in 2011 on Mahé, is still a problem for farmers although to a lesser extent than previously.

Trials were conducted from March to July 2012 and April to July 2013 at the  Anse Boileau Research Station to evaluate and confirm the efficiency of three bio-pesticides namely Laser combined with Neemik, Affirm combined with Neemik, Neembaan and one conventional insecticide namely Nomolt  to manage the pest.  

According to the results all four pesticides were effective to some degree in reducing damage caused by the EFSB on eggplants.

A decrease in percentage yield losses of between 26% - 33% were recorded in the plots where pesticides were applied compared to the plots where no pesticides were used.

The recommendation from this trial was that Laser and Neemban be used as a safer and more environmentally friendly measure to manage the EFSB along with Lucin-Lure pheromone traps which in previous trials conducted on Praslin proved to provide some degree of control.

However the best strategy still remains an Integrated Pest Management approach. The following are some of the steps to manage EFSB:

• Destroy thoroughly crop debris before planting

• Remove and destroy (by burning or deep burying at least 30cm) infested shoots and fruits

• Use pheromone lures to trap male moths

• Reduce the use of synthetic insecticides in order to allow the natural enemies of EFSB to proliferate and manage the EFSB population

• Use plastic as a source of mulching in eggplant to prevent the fully grown larvae from entering the soil to pupate

• Avoid continuous cropping of eggplant and avoid using alternate host crops in your rotation

• Maintain farm hygiene and remove weed hosts such as wild eggplant, nightshade (bred marten) and bitter gourd (margoz).