Certis has reported a sharp rise in sales of its Meta Quality metaldehyde pellets as potato crops face severe damage from burgeoning numbers of slugs.
“We’re seeing plenty of slugs in the field now - recent wet conditions have been ideal for them to thrive,” noted Hutchinson technical director Dick Neale. “The majority of potato crops are entering canopy complete stage now, so you need to think carefully how best to protect your crop.”
Growers should use a dense pellet, capable of spreading over a wide distance to ensure the product covers and penetrates the high crop canopy, the company advises. Once the canopy has closed over, slugs will thrive in the warm, moist micro-climate this creates. As the soil then dries out and cracks, they will retreat underground to feed on the growing tubers, resulting in rejections and further problems once the harvested crop is brought in store.
“It’s important to apply a quality mini pellet,” stressed Neale. “We’ve had extremely wet weather for the time of year and growers need the treatment to last well. You also need to ensure an even spread that will give you plenty of baiting points - aim for 30-40 per square metre. A rate of around 5-6kg/ha, depending on product, should ensure this.”
Each pellet delivers a fatal dose of Meta-metaldehyde, which has the added benefit of being slug-specific, so doesn’t harm earthworms and other beneficial soil organisms. “What’s more, as the name suggests, Red is highly visible, so you’ll see it in the crop - it’s a great product for potatoes,” concluded Certis’ sales manager, Peter Shakespeare.
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