RANKINGS MAY HELP REDUCE DAMAGE TOLL

摘要

SCRI and Scottish Agronomy have made a promising start on establishing a system for ranking potato varieties according to their susceptibility to wireworm feeding damage. If they are successful the information could make varietal choice a realistic option as part of an ICM campaign to control the pest. With wireworm said to be now widespread throughout the main arable areas of England and Scotland, Scottish Agronomy's Eric Anderson reckons growers need a quantified basis for varietal choice. To datethey have tended to rely on experience and anecdotal evidence. Twelve popular varieties, covering a range of maturities and market outlets, have been ranked so far. SCRFs Scott Johnson conducted a trial studying wireworm's varietal preferences and the extent of damage caused by feeding. This has revealed that the larvae put on significant weight when attacking some varieties but they lose weight when feeding on others.