Potato Review

48 POTATO REVIEW MAY/JUNE 2022 SLUG CONTROL New trials data shows the bene t of using a premium ferric phosphate slug pellet formulation like Sluxx HP, particularly in crops where conditions are likely to be wet and warm, such as potatoes. Sluxx HP is ade with Ferric Field Technology which includes a wet processed pasta-based pellet with a unique EDDS chelating agent. e chelating agent is the vehicle for getting the ferric phosphate into a slug’s gut to stop it feeding and EDDS, instead of the EDTA in competitor pellets, ensures the e cacy against slugs is maintained for longer under wet conditions. Certis technical expert Harry Raley says this is backed up by experiments carried out in 2021 by research organisation I2L. Sluxx HP and a competitor pellet, both applied at 7kg/ha around oilseed rape seedlings in 0.2m2 plots, were left dry or exposed to four days of irrigation applications under controlled conditions. ere were ve replicates of each treatment. Four slugs were then introduced into plots and assessments made at three-, seven- and 10-days post introduction. Under dry conditions, di erences in plants damaged following the di erent treatments were relatively small, with performance of the two pellets comparable. However, under irrigated conditions, Sluxx HP outperformed the alternative signi cantly, with the di erence increasingly stark over time (see Figure 1). Assessments 10 days post slug introduction found 58% of plants had been attacked in plots where the alternative ferric was applied, whereas 18% had been attacked where Sluxx HP was the pellet of choice. is suggests Sluxx HP’s formulation remain e cacious for longer under the conditions likely to be experienced in most potato elds during the summer. In addition to the I2L trials, work in Germany suggests that the Ferric Field Technology formulation of Sluxx HP is also much more e ective against the competition in warmer conditions, as well as the wet. A similar controlled experiment by European research organisation EcoCare looked at reduction in feeding achieved with Sluxx HP and a competitor at 10C and 20C, with assessments at four-, six- and eight-days after application (see Figure 2). “Sluxx HP and the alternative wet processed pellet both performed well at 10C, but at 20C feeding was reduced by Sluxx HP by 85% after eight days, compared to about 3% with the alternative pellet. “ is shows Sluxx HP is more e ective for longer at the warmer temperatures often experienced around the critical control points in potato crops during June and July,” says Harry. Figure 1 – E cacy of Sluxx HP and alternative wet processed pellet under irrigated conditions (Source: I2L, 2021) Figure 2 – E cacy of Sluxx HP and alternative wet processed pellet against grey field slug (Source: EcoCare, 2021)