Comparison of Chemical and Biological Wireworm Control Options in Serbian Sunflower Fields and a Proposition for a Refined Wireworm Damage Assessment

Abstract

Recent European Union regulations aim at reducing the use of chemical pesticides in agriculture. In sunflower production in Serbia, the use of synthetic insecticides for soil and seed treatments has become a prevailing practice for wireworm (Coleoptera: Elateridae) control. However, a number of compounds efficiently used as seed treatments have been phased out. This work aimed at assessing the potential of an environmentally friendly “Attract and Kill” strategy (A&K) for controlling wireworms in sunflower in comparison to conventional insecticides. The experiments were carried out in 2018, 2019 and 2021 involving (a) soil treatments with ATTRACAP® and a Force 1.5 G; (b) seed treatments with Sonido, Force 20 CS, Lumiposa and Buteo Start 480 FS; (c) controls (i.e., untreated seeds). The efficacy of the treatments was assessed based on the plant density and emerging plant damage (%). A damage rating scale (levels 0–5) was created, aiming for a more reliable and concrete interpretation of the results. Data were processed using binomial and multinomial regressions, followed by modelling of the damage and calculating the odds of damage occurrence, depending on the applied insecticide. In all experimental years and at all localities, the Force 20 CS and/or Force 1.5 G treatments resulted in the highest plant density and the lowest percentage of plant damage. ATTRACAP® showed good effectiveness, since plant density and percentage of damaged plants were at the same level of significance as the commonly used conventional insecticides in sunflower production (Sonido for seed treatment and Force 1.5 G for soil treatment). Thus, the A&K strategy was efficient in controlling wireworms at conditions of low abundance, based on three-year experimental results. Although the damage rating scale enabled a clear differentiation of plant damage caused by wireworms responsible for reduced plant density, more reliable models were obtained by binomial regressions, classifying plants as damaged or undamaged.

Evaluation of Metarhizium brunneum- and Metarhizium-Derived VOCs as Dual-Active Biostimulants and Pest Repellents in a Wireworm-Infested Potato Field

“…The wireworm burden on key crops has necessitated the development of novel strategies, particularly after the withdrawal from the market of the majority of its relevant control agents [ 6 , 10 ], inclusive of the dual-action pesticide MOCAP used initially for plant parasite nematode control. Somewhat effective ‘lure and kill’ strategies have been developed for wireworms [ 8 , 9 ]; however, given the limited mobility of wireworms, these strategies’ potential is limited in high-burden fields. Additionally, they do not offer additional protections against other forms of pest and disease burden.…”

“…To date, most control strategies for wireworms have focused on the use of insecticides [ 6 ], production of resistant plant varieties [ 7 ], and the integration of semiochemical compounds in ‘attract and kill’ strategies [ 8 , 9 ]. Due to environmental persistence and high toxicity, many of the traditionally used commercial insecticides, such as phorate and ethoprop, have been withdrawn from use in EU and Asian markets, including China and India, in the last decade [ 10 ], and they are expected to be withdrawn from US markets in the near future.…”

Utilization of Metarhizium as an insect biocontrol agent and a plant bioinoculant with special reference to Brazil

“…Biocontrol companies worldwide follow similar patterns. In addition to this, more recently, a report on the product ATTRACAP ® (BIOCARE GmbH, Germany) described its efficacy against wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae) in an "attract-and-kill" strategy (Gvozdenac et al, 2022). This granular formulation is a M. brunneum-based bead constituted with alginate (polymer), starch (nutrient), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (CO 2 source) (Working Group Patel, 2023).…”

Improving the Authorization of Microbial Biological Control Products (MBCP) in the European Union within the EU Green Deal Framework

“…Despite this regulatory upgrade and the political support for promoting low-risk substances [18], the EU level system remained a two-tier system (EU-level and national level), unlike most other agricultural markets globally. The research on the effects of the EU's regulatory framework on decreasing pesticide use has also accelerated recently [19][20][21]. A recent evaluation of the extra pressure added by the EU Green Deal on sustainable pest control also shows the importance of incorporating non-chemical alternatives to achieve chemical pesticides decrease in use and risk by 50% by 2030 [22].…”