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A novel mapping tool has been developed to identify where slugs are most likely to damage crops, enabling farmers to reduce pesticide use while safeguarding their yields. This advancement stems from an innovative research initiative led by the British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN), aimed at tackling the persistent problem of slug infestations in agricultural fields.
The three-year, £2.6 million Defra-funded project incorporated a team of ‘slug sleuth’ farmers who acted as field researchers. These farmers meticulously monitored slug activity and studied their preferred soil habitats. This collaborative approach allowed the project to gather valuable data, which was then used to create a digital mapping tool. This tool highlights slug hotspots in farmers’ fields, allowing for targeted pesticide applications rather than blanket treatments across entire areas.
Participants in the pilot phase of this initiative reportedly halved their use of slug pellets on average, demonstrating the tool’s effectiveness. Researchers suggest that wider adoption throughout the UK’s arable sector could save farmers approximately £6 million every year. Tom Allen-Stevens, founder of BOFIN, emphasized the significance of involving farmers directly in the research process: “No one has used farmers to gather scientific evidence like this before, so one of our biggest findings is that farmers can do research. Farmers deserve more respect for their intelligence: no one knows the land better.”
Slugs represent a significant challenge for farmers, causing an estimated £44 million in annual losses, especially on crops such as wheat and oilseed rape. The primary method of control currently involves ferric phosphate pellets, which are more costly than the discontinued chemical metaldehyde. Through the playful project named ‘Slimers’ (Strategies leading to improved management and enhanced resilience to slugs), 28 farmers were enlisted to set traps and collect data on slug populations within their fields. This information, combined with soil analysis, contributed to the development of a free-to-access computer model that generates slug risk maps. When paired with automated pellet applicators, this system deposits pesticides only where necessary, optimizing resource use.
However, Allen-Stevens notes that last year’s dry autumn conditions may have influenced the results by reducing slug numbers during the trial period. “We’ve got a big degree of confidence in the model, but we’d like to see it tested more,” he explained. Farmers are encouraged to use the map and provide feedback for further development. Alongside this, scientists at the John Innes Centre collaborated with farmers to trial new wheat varieties resistant to slug damage. Their research identified three genomic regions associated with natural resistance to the grey field slug, which could lead to more resilient crops and reduced environmental impact over time. “Slugs are one of the biggest challenges for arable farmers so developing wheat varieties with natural resistance would help reduce crop losses and input costs, lower environmental impact and increase resilience,” Allen-Stevens concluded
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