Control of wireworms in organic potato cultivation

Reduce wireworm infestation with preventive measures! Look forward to the development of a new controlling agent!

Problem

Wireworms in potatoes

Solution

It presents indirect measures to control the worms and a new agent based on a fungus that is a natural opponent of the wireworm.

Description

Wireworms are a common pest in organic potato crops. They are persistent and tough and so far, there are only indirect measures to control them. In the video, Giselher Grabenweger (Agroscope) provides an overview of approved methods to control the worms such as crop rotation and tillage. He also explains why potato varieties containing a lot of starch are less affected by wireworms. In addition to the indirect measures, Agroscope (together with Swiss and German partners) developed specific organic control options. As an enemy of wireworms the researchers found insecticidal fungi of the genus Metarhizium. In meadows, they observed a natural control of wireworms achieved by these soil fungi. The institute now tries to develop a method to apply the fungus successfully to the potato fields. In 2016, a first product received a provisional license in Germany and is practically tested on a small area. In Switzerland, a fungal product against wireworms will be available on the market in two to five years.

Video

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Applicability

Theme

> Pest and disease control - Crop production - > Cropping systems - > Arable crops

Languages

English - German - Hungarian

Keywords

crops , arable farming , pest control , disease control , Elateridae , potatoes

Year of release

2016

Country of origin

Switzerland

Issuing organisation

Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL Frick, Switzerland www.fibl.org
info.suisse@fibl.org

Contact

thomas.alfoeldi(at)fibl.org

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