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The Efficacy of Seed Treatments on Major Sugar Beet Pests: Possible Consequences of the Recent Neonicotinoid Ban

Authors :
Maja Čačija
Zrinka Drmić
Renata Bazok
Helena Virić Gašparić
Darija Lemić
Source :
Agronomy, Volume 11, Issue 7, Agronomy, Vol 11, Iss 1277, p 1277 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2021.

Abstract

Sugar beet production remains unprotected after the ban on neonicotinoids, while pest pressure is increasing. Although the organic approach to agriculture is highly welcomed, the question remains whether it will be possible to grow sugar beet without pesticides. The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of seed treatments with neonicotinoids on the main sugar beet pests, to determine the susceptibility of the pests under the specific climatic conditions and to discuss possible consequences of the ban of neonicotinoids on the future of sugar beet production in southeast Europe. The study was conducted in two different climatic regions in Croatia in two consecutive years. The tested variants were: seed coated with imidacloprid, seed coated with a combination of thiamethoxam and teflutrin and untreated control. Our results showed that seed coatings with imidacloprid and thiamethoxam provided satisfactory protection against wireworms, flea beetles and sugar beet weevils at low population pressure. These pests are regular pests of sugar beet in southern and eastern Europe and therefore need to be controlled. Caterpillars and aphids were present in low populations, so the efficacy of the insecticides tested cannot be determined with certainty. A further research program is needed to find alternative solutions and develop easily implementable strategies for all sugar beet pests. We would propose an authorization of neonicotinoids for seed treatment of sugar beet in the regions with high infestation pressure of the main sugar beet pests.

Details

ISSN :
20734395
Volume :
11
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Agronomy
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....0087f709d4742fadef2528330c1b91b3
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11071277