Methiocarb halts the march of Leatherjackets

With reports of high infestations of leatherjackets on several farms across the country, Dr Bill Lankford of Bayer CropScience reinforces the message from some recent research.

The trials conducted in 2004 showed that where leatherjackets were a problem, plant stands of sugar beet from untreated seed increased by as much as 20% where methiocarb based slug baits were used. However more importantly the trials show that using Gaucho or Poncho Beta seed treatments in sequence with these baits increased the plant stand by 26%.

"While the trials clearly showed that a combination of treated seed and methiocarb baits gives the crop the best possible start, it's worth noting that there was a considerable improvement even when methiocarb was used alone with untreated seed.

"Growers should carry out a population risk assessment at germination and then make a decision whether to apply the baits or not. The optimum timing for methiocarb baits is at germination with a window from post sowing and before two true leaves," said Bill.