Effectiveness of Iron Chelate Molluscide Baits for Control of Gray Field Slugs (Deroceras reticulatum M.) in Grass and Clover Seed Crops in Oregon
ISSN 2158-9429
Volume 6, Issue 2 - December 2013
Editor: Bindu Poudel
Abstract
Crop damage caused by gray field slugs (Deroceras reticulatum M.) in western Oregon’s seed production fields is extremely problematic and costly to growers. Despite years of research, attempts to reduce slug densities have only been partially successful in this high rainfall region. Three replicated experiments were conducted in 2010 and 2011 on commercial grass and clover seed fields to investigate the efficacy of newly available molluscide baits in controlling the gray field slug. Treatments included 2% and 5% iron chelate compared with an untreated control, 4% metaldehyde and 1% iron phosphate. In two of three trials, 5% iron chelate reduced slug densities while 2% iron chelate did not reduce densities in any trial. This study suggests that iron chelate may not be more effective than metaldehyde.
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