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Funded Project |
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Funding Program:
IPM Partnership Grants |
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Project Title:
Slug and Natural Enemy Phenology in mid-Atlantic Field Crops |
Project Directors (PDs):
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Lead State: DE Lead Organization: University of Delaware |
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Cooperating State(s):
Virginia |
| Undesignated Funding: $27,830 |
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Start Date: Apr-01-2020 End Date: Mar-31-2022 |
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No-Cost Extension Date: Sep-30-2022 |
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Pests Involved: Slugs |
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Site/Commodity: Soybean, Corn |
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Area of Emphasis: Climate Change and Pests |
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Summary:
Slugs are important pests of field crops in the mid-Atlantic, especially when crops are grown using reduced or no-tillage practices and with cover crops. Slug activity is heavily dependent on weather conditions, but when slug-favorable weather conditions occur during the crops most sensitive stages (germination to V3/V4), severe stand reductions can result requiring a field or portions of a field be replanted. Slug management recommendations include tillage (a highly disruptive tactic that impacts soil health and water quality) or application of expensive molluscicidal bait. There are two primary species of slugs present in mid-Atlantic corn and soybean fields: grey garden slugs and marsh slugs. These slugs overwinter either as eggs or as adults. Plant damage is most severe when germination coincides with slug egg hatch, and there is some evidence that a bait application is most effective when applied at slug egg hatch. This project seeks to develop a model that will predict slug egg hatch based on accumulated heat units. Fields across the mid-Atlantic will be sampled weekly for slug eggs and juveniles. Temperature and moisture sensors will be deployed in the same fields. In addition, not much is known regarding slug-pathogenic nematode distribution or activity in fields. Mobile stage slugs will be sampled and held for nematode emergence. It is anticipated that this line of research will help farmers identify time periods in which a slug bait might be most effective or a planting window that could be avoided.
Objectives: 1. Develop a degree day model to predict slug egg hatch 2. Study slug-parasitizing nematode range and activity in the mid-Atlantic |
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Final Report: |
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Outputs We collaborated with four producers in Delaware with a history of slug problems. Fields were routinely monitored and producers made aware of slug populations, activity, and management strategies. Slug activity and project work was discussed to more than 1,500 stakeholders through the Weekly Crop Update, Delaware AgWeek, Mid-Atlantic Crop Management School, and smaller county-based meetings. |
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Outcomes An emphasis was made to not apply molluscicidal bait in March or early April prior to egg hatch. While not measured, we have not heard producers mixing slug bait with early potash since the project finished. Initial nematode surveys have stimulated further research by University of Delaware’s Michael Crossley to further identify, isolate, and determine pathogenicity of nematodes associated with slugs. A United Soybean Board proposal was submitted at the end of 2022. In the proposal were elements to continue the work to predict slug activity for farmers. |
Report Appendices
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