Disease
Verticillium wilt β This is the most serious disease of eggplant. Remove and destroy an entire infested plant, along with immediately surrounding soil and soil clinging to roots. Set into soil where you have never planted tomatoes, peppers, or strawberries.
Tobacco Mosaic Virus β Young growth is malformed and leaves are mottled with yellow. To prevent it, wash hands after handling tobacco (including Nicotiana), before touching plants. Control aphids, which spread the disease.
Pests
Aphids β A hard spray of water can be used to remove aphids from plants early in the day. Check for evidence of natural enemies and the presence of larvae of lady beetles and lacewings.
Flea beetles β Control weeds. Use row covers to help protect plants from early damage. Put in place at planting and remove before temperatures get too hot or plants start to flower.
Colorado potato beetles β Handpick beetles, larvae and eggs.
Cutworms β Use cardboard collars around transplants it cutworms are a problem.