Crops face harsh winter of slug infestation

Cereal growers at the Tillage 2005 event, near Tetbury in Gloucestershire, have been told they need to brace themselves for a large and sustained surge of slugs.

Slug numbers are due to rise rapidly, reaching a peak towards the end of October, forecasts a ground-breaking population prediction model, developed by Rothamsted Research and funded by leading slug pellet manufacturer De Sangosse.

"The peak won't be quite as high as we saw last year," reports Rothamsted's Jenna Willis. "But the most striking aspect of the slug forecast for this year is that numbers could then remain high until well into February 2006."

The model uses historical weather data and forecast conditions to predict the population of slugs growers are likely to find in the coming months. Similar forecasts last year predicted a massive slug surge, which was later confirmed by field reports.

"There are more small juveniles and eggs around now than at this time last year. So the potential is already in the soil for a sustained high population level throughout the autumn," Ms Willis told growers attending the seminars at Tillage 2005. Using weather data provided by nearby RAF Lyneham, Ms Willis was able to provide growers with a tailor-made local slug forecast.

"After an unsettled summer, it's no surprise autumn slug numbers are due to be high," notes De Sangosse sales and marketing manager Jean-François Testut. "But this sustained high population is a development growers must prepare themselves for."

The right choice of bait is crucial for effective control, he stresses. "De Sangosse wet process bait is highly palatable to slugs and draws them away from vulnerable young crops.

"And there's a high danger that those who use poor quality pellets will find crops go into the cold winter months with no protection at all. The best results are always achieved by using wet process bait, such as Metarex and Clartex, made from quality durum wheat. These swell, but stay whole in wet weather, ensuring crops remain protected when slugs are most active."