ADVERTORIAL Quality in pest control
‘All-round quality are the watchwords for mushroom production – quality in produce and also in pest solutions’, says Aneeta Gupta of BASF Agricultural Specialities (formerly Becker Underwood), the largest nematode producer in the world and pioneers in the application of their use in mushrooms.
“Supermarkets and retail outlets are all demanding disease- and residue free mushrooms, yet with more stringent legislation, we have fewer and fewer tools that can do the job to the high degree necessary”, she says. “Thankfully growers, whose crop are plagued by sciarid fl ies each year, have a top quality and highly effective biological solution in the biopes- ticide, Nemasys M. Based on a unique strain of benefi cial insect- killing nematodes Steinernema feltiae, it is the perfect biological solution to mushroom sciarid fl y as, when used preventatively, it quickly controls the pest larvae and is effective for at least six weeks. Being biological, it has no risk of resistance, no re-entry restrictions, no need for protective clothing and no disposal restric- tions. It is an easy to apply and highly effective solution.” Brendan Burns of Sylvan, the largest producer and distributor of mushroom spawn, knows the ma- jority of UK and Irish mushroom growers and has seen 100% acceptance of biological control of sciarid fl ies by these growers. “Sciarid fl ies are the worst pest of mushrooms that we have to deal with. Other pests include phorid fl ies and cecid fl ies, but sciarids are the most problematic and they are a problem all year round.” Burns points out that sciarids are also vectors of damaging diseases such as Verticillium. “So control of these pests is essential. In the past, these pests were control- led by chemicals, but the use of chemicals such as dibenzuron (Dimilin) is virtually zero now in the UK and Ireland. It is still used
in The Netherlands but I believe this will be short-lived (see page 6 tip ‘Goodbye Dimilin’). The use of biologicals, based on the insect-killing Steinernema feltiae, in the UK and Ireland is univer- sal as they are very effi cacious, cost-effective and their use is sup- ported by the supermarkets who like the green image.”
Appliance
The insect-killing nematodes in Nemasys M are formulated in an inert carrier which, when mixed with water, creates a suspension which is then applied to the crop. As Nemasys M is applied through the normal irrigation system, the product can be readily incorpo- rated into standard production systems. “Applied at the correct dose, growers know they will have suffi cient healthy nematodes to do the best job. The product has the necessary high fat content which adds to the longevity of the nematodes and a specialist carrier to keep nematodes stable. Each batch of nematodes is quality controlled, coded and transported in insulated boxes with ice packs using a tracked carrier. All these measures ensure a high quality solution,” says Gupta.
When Nemasys M is applied as part of the normal watering, it de- livers a high number of infective nematodes primed to seek out and parasitize the sciarid fl y larvae in the the casing. These nematodes enter the sciarid fl y larvae through natural openings or cuticle, where they release lethal bacteria which quickly kill the larvae. The nematodes reproduce and become adults within the dead sciarid fl y larvae and so multiply. A new generation of infective nematodes are produced which go on to re- infect more larvae.
Growers should establish a pre- ventative strategy to pest control and ensure correct application, which will provide protection of the casing throughout the crop-
ping cycle. The recommendation for Nemasys M is for either 1 application of 2 million/ m² in the last watering or 2 applications of 1 million/m² in the last two waterings. As with any pesticide all houses need to be treated to reduce the total number of fl ies on the farm.
Burns observed that sciarid fl ies have become a nuisance in mushroom houses most of the year, certainly from March through to November. “Last year with the very cold spring, infesta- tions started later. This year it may be earlier, considering the mild start to the year.”
Alternative option Rob Storer, Speciality Crop Manager for BASF, notes that “undoubtedly there is increasing pressure for effective pest and disease control in specialist crops including mushrooms, but there are more legislative and practi- cal challenges for growers. The number of actives has diminished, yet quality demands are increa- sing. We need alternative options to boost yield and protect quality in these speciality crops, such as Nemasys M. We are looking for and developing market-leading science in both conventional and biological approaches, along with a combined approach to plant treatment.”
He says that BASF are fully com- mitted to both horticulture and agriculture and that the integration of the world-leading biopesticide manufacturer Becker Underwood fi ts well into the company’s quest for “Innovation beyond Crop Protection.”
For more information, visit
www.agricentre.basf.co.uk,
www.basf.com or call Aneeta Gupta of BASF on 07980 014192 (mobile) or the BASF technical services hotline 0845 6022553.
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