For many people, Eggplants (Aubergines) are a prized addition to their summer garden. The fruit's rich, glossy purple hue is a visual treat and is used as a key ingredient in many a culinary delight.
So it can be a tad concerning if your eggplants start turning yellow. Don't worry, a simple understanding of the main reasons causing these color changes will soon get you back achieving high yields.
There are numerous things that can affect eggplant color, ranging from environmental factors through to pests and diseases.
So, without much further ado, let's discover the leading causes of yellowing in both fruits and leaves, and how to ensure that your eggplants remain vibrant and healthy.
From Sunscald to Pests: Exploring Why Eggplants Turn Yellow
Here are some of the more common causes why eggplant fruits turn yellow.
Maturity / Overripening: Perhaps the most common reason for an eggplant fruit to turn yellow is overripening. As eggplant fruits mature, they often change from a deep purple color to yellow or brown. This is easily preventable by harvesting the fruit at the right time, when it is a deep, glossy color and still firm.
Sunscald: This results from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, and can cause eggplant fruits to turn yellow or become paler than normal. Using some light shade can help to prevent this issue.
Stress: There are many environmental stresses that can impact the color of an eggplant fruit and leaves. These include inconsistent watering, wide variations in temperature, and nutrient imbalances.
Nutrient Imbalance: A lack of essential nutrients such as magnesium and potassium is a common reason why eggplant fruits yellow. This can be prevented by regularly feeding plants with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 or 14-14-14 (N-P-K), together with Epsom salt (to add magnesium)).
Be sure to use a soil that is well-draining and rich, as this greatly helps in preventing nutrient imbalances.
Diseases: Eggplants can be attacked by many diseases. For example, Verticillium wilt and Fusarium wilt will cause yellowing of the entire plant, including its fruit.
Good garden hygiene (prompt removal of diseased or dead plant material, proper spacing, and disinfecting tools) and crop rotation are essential for preventing plant diseases in the garden.
Pests: Damage from pests can cause yellowing and blemishing on eggplant fruits. Regularly inspect your plants for common pests such as aphids, whiteflies, or spider mites. Remove any pests promptly.
Variety: Not all eggplants are purple, with there being many naturally yellow varieties available.
Examples include Thai eggplants (Solanum melongena var. depressum), which produce small, round, green fruits that have yellow streaks.
The Gilo eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum cv. 'Gilo') has yellow fruits, which later mature into orange fruits. And the decorative Solanum melongena 'Yellow Toga' cultivar.
Can you Eat Eggplants that have Turned Yellow?
Unless they are diseased, you can usually eat eggplants that have turned yellow. Be aware that as these are likely to be overripe, or have lacked nutrients, they may have a bitter taste and tougher texture.
Ideally, harvest and consume eggplants when they are glossy and firm, as this will ensure their optimal flavor.
Why are my Eggplant Leaves Turning Yellow and Curling?
Some of the more common reasons for Eggplant leaves turning yellow and curling include water stress, pest infestations (aphids or whiteflies), or viral diseases (curly top virus).
Quickly Identifying the root cause will help to ensure your eggplants' health and subsequent yield. Water stress can usually be avoided by keeping the soil moist and growing in soil that has good drainage. Soapy water, neem oil, or insecticidal soaps can be used to eliminate pests.
If your eggplants are diseases, it is probably best to remove the plant completely from the garden, and to carry out crop rotation using plants such as beans (for nitrogen-fixing) and corn (which uses different nutrients than eggplants).
Summary
If your eggplant fruit is turning yellow it is crucial to inspect its growing conditions closely. Things that can affect color include the age of the fruit, environmental conditions, soil health, and pests and diseases.
In addition to these, overwatering may lead to eggplant leaves turning yellow. Identifying the root cause of the issue is the key to optimal fruit production.
