Rational use of slug pellets required
With the continuing wet conditions, growers will be looking out for slug activity in winter oilseed rape and winter cereals, but they must apply slug pellets in a fully rational manner and only if slugs are seen to be active on the soil surface.
Dr. David Stormonth, Technical Manager for Interfarm, is reminding growers that winter crops should be monitored for slugs from sowing until the four to six leaf stage of the crop. "When traps indicate the threshold level of slugs has been exceeded and only if the weather conditions are conducive for application, then pellets can be applied."
He points out that the use of a high quality pellet that will not disintegrate in wet conditions is very important, too. "Cobra, which contains 4% methiocarb, is a high quality wet extruded pellet, which maintains its integrity, even in wet conditions. It is very durable, offering long lasting persistence, meaning the possibility of fewer applications, and it has good ballistic properties for more even application on the soil surface. It works even when it is cold and wet, as it acts as a stomach poison on slugs. Methiocarb is more than eight times less soluble than metaldehyde, binds tightly to the soil and is at less risk of contaminating surface water, although we would strongly advocate all growers who are applying slug pellets to read and adhere to the Stewardship guidelines. Although Cobra has no LERAP, it must be kept out of watercourses."
Dr. Stormonth points out that the new guidelines for metaldehyde recommend a maximum application rate of metaldehyde of just 210 gms/ha (down from 250 gms/ha) between 1st August and 31st December. "With this dose rate restriction, it makes sense to use a number of active ingredients within a programme, particularly if we are in for a wet, high pressure season. It is well worth integrating methiocarb into a slug control programme."
Cobra is recommended in winter barley and wheat at a maximum individual dose rate of 3.75 kgs/ha, with 2 applications per crop. In oilseed rape it can be recommended up to a 7.5 kgs/ha, with a maximum individual dose of 3.75 kgs/ha. It also has full label recommendations for a number of other vegetable and horticultural crops including potatoes.
Marketed by Interfarm UK Ltd through a network of distributors, Cobra is a pelleted bait containing 4% methiocarb for the control of slugs, snails and strawberry seed beetle, and which will also reduce the leatherjacket population. It is recommended in barley, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, forage maize, oats, oilseed rape, outdoor lettuce, outdoor spinach, potatoes, rye, strawberry, sunflower, triticale, wheat and all non-edible crops. It has Maximum Individual Doses of between 3.0 and 3.75 kgs/ha per crop and Maximum Total Doses per season of between 3 and 11.5 kgs/ha, depending on the crop. It has no LERAP, but it is important to keep out of watercourses. It is packed in boxes of 2 by 10 kg poly bags.
For further comment and information, please contact Dr. David Stormonth, Technical Manager, Interfarm UK Ltd. on 01354 741414 or 07818 036506 (mobile) or via e-mail david.stormonth@interfarm.co.uk
