How to manage fruit and shoot borer of brinjal?

Shoot and fruit borer is a common pest of brinjal (also known as eggplant or aubergine), and can cause significant damage to the plant if not managed properly. Here are some strategies for managing shoot and fruit borer of brinjal:

Crop rotation: Rotate your crops to reduce the build-up of pests and diseases in the soil. Avoid planting brinjal or other solanaceous crops in the same location for at least two to three years.

Use pheromone traps: Pheromone traps are a type of trap that uses synthetic sex pheromones to attract and trap male moths. This can help reduce the population of shoot and fruit borers and prevent them from mating and reproducing.

Handpicking: Check your brinjal plants regularly for signs of shoot and fruit borers, and remove any affected fruit or larvae by hand.

Neem-based products: Use neem-based products like neem oil or neem cake as a natural insecticide. These products contain azadirachtin, which is toxic to insects but harmless to humans and animals.

Combo-pesticides: Out of several chemical pesticides, farmers can choose combination pesticides with modern formulation types viz. Solomon, Ampligo, Movento Energy, Sumiprempt and more. Click here to find collection of combo pesticides recommended for control in brinjal.

Cultural practices: Maintain good cultural practices, such as removing plant debris and weeds, and providing adequate water and nutrition to the plants. This can help reduce the likelihood of infestation.

Biological control: Introduce natural predators of the shoot and fruit borer, such as parasitic wasps, to the environment. These predators can help reduce the population of the pest and prevent further damage to the plants.

Remember to always read and follow the instructions on the label of any chemical or natural product before use, and wear appropriate protective gear when handling them.