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Press
Release: De Sangosse
Growers urged to use quality pellets to control rising slug populations
September 17, 2004: Arable farmers must use quality pellets to control rising slug populations following continued torrential downpours. The rain has brought about a slug explosion and the pest is entering its most prolific and damaging phase, warns pellet maker De Sangosse.
Arable farmers must use quality pellets to control rising slug populations following continued torrential downpours. The rain has brought about a slug explosion and the pest is entering its most prolific and damaging phase, warns pellet maker De Sangosse.
"We're confident that trials data collected over many years backs up our own experience and lab work to place Metarex (Meta-metaldehyde) at the forefront of wet weather slug control," says Eric Gussin, De Sangosse UK managing director.
When compared to other pellets and active ingredients, Metarex shows the smallest drop-off in effective control between dry and irrigated or post- rainfall conditions. One field trial in oilseed rape, with a slug population density of 25 per square metre, showed Metarex achieving 75 per cent mortality in the dry and maintaining an impressive 68 per cent mortality in the wet.
Other products had a far greater drop-off in performance, with methiocarb falling from 72 per cent mortality in the dry to just 45 per cent when wet.
"There's no mystery or surprise to these figures," says Eric Gussin. "We know that Meta-metaldehyde is a highly effective active ingredient in the wet. When incorporated with our pasta-based pellet technology it makes a formidable slug control tool for even the harshest conditions. Our pellets hold their shape and continue to present an attractive bait to the pest."
This will bring peace of mind to growers following the recent downpours, he adds. In just 24 hours these have brought over 3.5 inches (91mm) of rain to parts of Cambridgeshire and more than three inches (81 mm) to parts of West Yorkshire.
The message is as much about economics as it is about agronomy. If you want to cut down on the expense and hassle of pellet re-application or multiple applications, use a product that has good persistence in the wet. Metarex wins out over some other pellets because its physical characteristics make it extremely durable and palatable to slugs.
"It's a favourite saying, but one that's very apt for the slug pellet business - when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Our products are the tough guys of slug control," concludes Eric Gussin.
Further information:
Eric Gussin
De Sangosse
02380 644 567
eric.gussin@btconnect.com
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