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Testing of strategies for wireworm control in organic potato
Project
Project code: 02OE266/F
Contract period: 01.04.2004
- 31.07.2007
Budget: 243,510 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
The project 'Testing of different Strategies to reduce Damage by Wireworms in Organic Potato Farming' was sponsored by the Bundesprogramm Ökologischer Landbau (BÖL).
Results are based on experiences from laboratory-, half-field- and field-trials.
The project was composed of
- Monitoring of wireworms
- Monitoring of click beetles
- Indirect control of damage caused by wireworms via crop rotation management with legumes and other crops
- Direct control of damage caused by wireworms via fungal pesticides
Wireworms were detected by soil samples and bait traps. Both work similarly, but soil samples are easier to handle than bait traps. The best tested trap was a self-made pin curler with germinating wheat as bait. The number of wireworms found in fields was higher in spring than in autumn. The amount of damages done by wireworms is not predictable.
A high number of click beetle males were caught by pheromone traps: 35.000/115 traps. The two varieties Agriotes lineatus und A. obscurus could be determined. They flew mainly between mid-May and late-June. Legumes as field beans, bush beans and peas are appropriate crops to reduce damage of wireworms in subsequent potatoes. This effect is possibly due to soil tillage associated with cultivation of legumes. After cultivation of intermediate crops damage by wireworms in successive potatoes was in summary very low, under 5 %. Wireworm were not deviated or killed by different undersown crops in the field. In the laboratory larvae preferred Phacelia, field beans and cereals but they avoided mustard, radish and potatoes. In half-field trials larvae favoured maize and potatoes. Wireworms favoured and avoided some potato varieties. This fact could be based on the different root respiration of varieties: CO2 attracts soil organisms such as wireworms. Harvest times Potatoes should be harvested as soon as possible after developing shell strength. Manuring by plant or animal organic manure had no influence on damage caused by wireworms in potatoes. There is no fungal product on the market which had a reducing effect on wireworms, they were not mouldy. All tested products had bottom qualities.
Section overview
Subjects
- Crop Protection
- Organic Farming
Framework programme
Federal Organic Farming Scheme and other forms of sustainable agriculture (BÖLN)
