Management strategies to effectively control slugs in the high rainfall zone cropping region

2013
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Jon Midwood (SFS)
Year(s) 2013
Contributor Southern Farming Systems
Trial location(s) Hamilton, VIC
Skipton, VIC
Winchelsea, VIC
Management strategies to effectively control slugs in the high rainfall zone cropping region locations
Aims

To demonstrate and evaluate a range of management strategies that could effectively reduce damage to emerging canola during establishment caused by slug species in the High Rainfall Zone (HRZ)

Key messages

(i) Managing slug populations is unlikely to be successful unless both cultural and chemical control strategies are used. (ii) Research has found burning, light cultivation and rolling improves slug control. (iii) Control measures must be carried out before slug damage is observed. (iv) Paddocks with a previous history of slug damage are always a good place to start monitoring in a susceptible crop like canola. (v) Slug bait should be applied at a rate to provide sufficient bait points per m2 relative to slug populations in the paddock. (vi) Check the accuracy of your bait spreader to make sure there is an even distribution of bait across the spreading width. This width may not be the same as the width you spread urea. (vii) Identify slug species present in a paddock for the most effective control. Different species demonstrate different behaviours.

Lead research organisation Southern Farming Systems
Host research organisation Southern Farming Systems
Trial funding source GRDC SFS000023
Related program Regional Cropping Solutions Network
Acknowledgments N/A
Other trial partners Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Oilseed: Canola
Treatment type(s)
  • Insecticide: Application Method
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Unknown

Hamilton 2013

Sow date 14 May 2013
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Skipton 2013

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Winchelsea 2013

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Variety
Treatment 1
Treatment 2
Treatment 3
Disease incidence (wheat) (% damage)
1 Thunder Control      (rolled)                                   &nbs 28
2 Thunder Not rolled grower bait & rate applied 27/5 18/6 31
3 Thunder Rolled grower bait & rate applied 27/5 18/6 22
4 Thunder Not rolled Slugout @ 10 kg/ha 19/5 4/6 6
5 Thunder Rolled Slugout @ 10 kg/ha 19/5 4/6 1

Disease incidence (wheat) % damage


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Hamilton, VIC Not specified
Skipton, VIC Not specified
Winchelsea, VIC Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Hamilton, VIC Kurosol
Skipton, VIC Sodosol
Winchelsea, VIC Sodosol
Soil Moisture Source: BOM/ANU
Average amount of water stored in the soil profile during the year, estimated by the OzWALD model-data fusion system.
Year Hamilton VIC Skipton VIC Winchelsea VIC
2013 554.1mm219.9mm391.8mm
2012 568.0mm251.5mm383.9mm
2011 575.5mm270.1mm417.4mm
2010 578.2mm276.5mm387.1mm
2009 566.8mm218.0mm307.2mm
2008 567.0mm218.1mm296.8mm
2007 570.5mm241.5mm310.1mm
2006 566.8mm233.2mm298.6mm
2005 569.1mm236.4mm367.3mm
2004 573.7mm228.6mm365.7mm
2003 578.0mm258.5mm354.2mm
2002 564.0mm290.8mm369.6mm
2001 559.7mm360.5mm396.8mm
2000 510.3mm452.1mm327.5mm
National soil grid Source: CSIRO/TERN
NOTE: National Soil Grid data is aggregated information for background information on the wider area
Actual soil values can vary significantly in a small area and the trial soil tests are the most relevant data where available

Soil properties

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Climate

Derived climate information

No observed climate data available for this trial.
Derived climate data is determined from trial site location and national weather sources.

Hamilton VIC

Skipton VIC

Winchelsea VIC

Hamilton VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Skipton VIC

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Winchelsea VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Some data on this site is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology

SILO weather estimates sourced from https://www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au/silo/
Jeffrey, S.J., Carter, J.O., Moodie, K.B. and Beswick, A.R. (2001). Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data , Environmental Modelling and Software, Vol 16/4, pp 309-330. DOI: 10.1016/S1364-8152(01)00008-1.



Trial last modified: 23-10-2019 11:40am AEST