AWARENESS OF THE FARMERS ON THE USE OF HOT WATER SEED TREATMENT DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING PHOMOPSIS BLIGHT OF EGGPLANT (Solanum melongena L.)

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) is an important solanaceous vegetable crop in Bangladesh. The average yield of eggplant in the country is quite low. Among the various factors responsible for the low yield, phomopsis blight caused by Phomopsis vexans is the most devastating disease. When the leaves and twigs are infected, they become blighted and fruits get rotten and become mummified (Meah, 2003). Generally, 30-50% loss is incurred due to the disease (Khan, 1999). To control the diseaseso, farmers use chemical pesticides like Vitavax for seed treatment and Dithane-M 45 at the vegetative and fruiting stages for controlling the disease. But, the application of chemical pesticide affects the nature and costs a lot of money. To overcome this acute problem, 1PM constitutes different components. Of various 1PM components, treatment of seeds with hot water is a useful method for controlling seed-borne diseases. Hundred percent control of P. vexans with 87% germination in eggplant has been achieved by the device (Hossain, 2004). But, no awareness programme has been done with Hot Water Seed Treatment Device (HWSTD) for controlling P. vexans in Bangladesh. In view of above facts, the present study was undertaken for creating awareness among the farmers in controlling Phomopsis blight of eggplant through the HWSTD.