American researchers from Cornell University have discovered a natural method of dealing with one of the most dangerous potato pests - wireworm. American Agriculturalist writes about it.
As lead author of the study Brian Reeves explained, he and his colleagues were looking for sustainable alternatives to agrochemicals. Scientists have found that entomopathogenic nematodes can become an effective tool for dealing with wireworms.
The experiment was conducted in the fall of 2021 on crops in the Hudson Valley. The researchers tested various combinations and concentrations of local strains of three nematode species. Of these, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema fediae were selected. Their combination reduced wireworm damage to tubers by eight percent compared to the untreated control plot. "These early data indicate that the selected entomopathogenic nematodes are suitable for integrated potato protection and can reduce the number of pesticide applications needed to adequately control the wireworm," the scientists noted.