How to kill Wireworm?

[Selectamatic]

So... some of the collective might remember the mad plan I have of planting some spuds...?

The story goes that the field (approx ½ acre) is grassed over, and has been for over 30 years.

The plan was, roundup, die, plough, cultivate, plant...

Im worried about wireworm, and a quick bit of research shows that the stuff to kill wireworm is expensive, dangerous, and not sold in quantities that will apply to me, I'd guess i only need a cupful...?

So, can anyone help? Either with a cupful of spray, advice, suggestions etc etc?

("Your mad! Don't grow spuds" is not the suggestion I was looking for!)

 

[DrWazzock]

Rotavator. Brutal, but might smash them up. We are relying on it for nematode control.

 

[Brisel]

The potential losses of crop to wireworm would pay for the nematicide many times over! You are taking a massive risk IMHO & need more than a cupful.

Any local spud growers with the granule application equipment?

Would Dursban added to the roundup help much?

 

[SilliamWhale]

If you want to have an affect - mocap down the spout next to the spud. But I think this is now illegal.

I think you should buy some mocap and put it on at max rate with a spinner (shut all doors and windows and wear a mask and then very shallowly rotorvate it in after.

 

[The Son]

If you want to have an affect - mocap down the spout next to the spud. But I think this is now illegal.

I think you should buy some mocap and put it on at max rate with a spinner (shut all doors and windows and wear a mask and then very shallowly rotorvate it in after.

And people then wonder why we are mired in Crop Assurance, sprayer MOTs, and sprayer certficates, if you cannot apply it correctly, with the correct machinery, do not apply it at all, get a profesional to do it or don't bother.

 

[Spud]

And people then wonder why we are mired in Crop Assurance, sprayer MOTs, and sprayer certficates, if you cannot apply it correctly, with the correct machinery, do not apply it at all, get a profesional to do it or don't bother.

Very well said! First, establish wether or not wireworm is present. Soil temp plays a part here, agronomist will help here. Dont, under any circumstances, try spinning mocap on with a fert spreader. Barmy. If you were nearby Id pop over with my applicator and apply it for you. Speak to other local growers, but first find out if there is a problem.

 

[SilliamWhale]

And people then wonder why we are mired in Crop Assurance, sprayer MOTs, and sprayer certficates, if you cannot apply it correctly, with the correct machinery, do not apply it at all, get a profesional to do it or don't bother.

I don't think its illegal to put it on with a vicon varispreader and if you keep it low to the ground its ok. Did loads of Vydate like this, nothing wrong with it.

 

[David.]

If it were me I'd put it on with a combi-drill, in the absence of anything better. If memory serves, and if Mocap still available/legal, it is about 15kg/ha which would be perfectly feasible, and would satisfy the requirement to incorporate immediately.
I would then incorporate properly to 6" with a Rotaspike.
PS, if you cannot put something on, do not bother with spuds at all, will still get some damage even with Mocap and with nothing at all crop could be 60% waste.

 

[Brisel]

Vydate & Mocap labels don't prohibit broadcasting as such but efficacy is reduced if not incorporated within 24 hours into top 15 cm of soil. Vydate has no label recommendation for wireworm but Mocap does.

 

[Great In Grass]

The Potato Council produced a 'Wireworm Factsheet' some time ago, I've attached it below you may find it useful. I'm no agronomist but is Cruiser Max (?) still available, that used to protect potatoes against wireworm very well, contains thiamethoxam (I think).

 

[SilliamWhale]

Vydate & Mocap labels don't prohibit broadcasting as such but efficacy is reduced if not incorporated within 24 hours into top 15 cm of soil. Vydate has no label recommendation for wireworm but Mocap does.

Those on the moral high ground can come down now then.

We did Vydate on top of ground with a varispreader for years and rotorvated it in behind. It was considered one of the most effective ways, I dont think it responsible for sprayer mot's and certificates - it wasn't even a spray!

 

[Brisel]

Er, it is a pesticide, therefore covered by FEPA spray tickets PA1 & 4. Fine to broadcast but bear in mind that it costs enough to warrant being accurate & hurling a very toxic chemical granule around is bad for your health, hence closed transfer systems like Surefill.

TMX is a neo nicotinoid so I don't know if it is still approved for potatoes due to the bee effects in osr/maize widely publicised & discussed in TFF.

 

[The Son]

Those on the moral high ground can come down now then.

We did Vydate on top of ground with a varispreader for years and rotorvated it in behind. It was considered one of the most effective ways, I dont think it responsible for sprayer mot's and certificates - it wasn't even a spray!

Absolutely not, I stand by my comments having handled both products (in the correct way), broadcasting either would be highly irresponsible and damaging to the environment, and is definately the wrong advice to give to the OP.
Most of us are trying hard to produce safe, high quality food, it is very easy for our hard work to be tarnished by cowboy operators.

 

[SilliamWhale]

Absolutely not, I stand by my comments having handled both products (in the correct way), broadcasting either would be highly irresponsible and damaging to the environment, and is definately the wrong advice to give to the OP.
Most of us are trying hard to produce safe, high quality food, it is very easy for our hard work to be tarnished by cowboy operators.

Its a legal way of doing it. For a small scale operator its fine. Its not damaging the environment any more than avadex would be.

Your just sprinkling it on. Its not capable of flying about all over its a powder. I wouldn't expect a bloke in north Wales to go and spend 5k on distribution kit if he can use something on his farm.

 

[Selectamatic]

Thanks for your help gents.

So, Mocap, can i put some of this is a wagtail spinner, carried close to the ground, and spin it on? We are talking under an acre here, would it be ok?

Application rate of 110kg/ha, so about 12kg for what I need? Any rough idea what this would cost?

 

[Baling Hay]

Does mustard grown and rotavated in not have a bio-fumigative effect that reduces wireworm?

 

[SilliamWhale]

Thanks for your help gents.

So, Mocap, can i put some of this is a wagtail spinner, carried close to the ground, and spin it on? We are talking under an acre here, would it be ok?

Application rate of 110kg/ha, so about 12kg for what I need? Any rough idea what this would cost?

Yes you are allowed to do this, its not the "preferred" way I agree but you are doing some spuds for yourself rather than Tesco so I think its no harm on 1/2 acre. My opinion is make sure you wear all the gear and take it off before you get in the cab and get rid of your ppe overall and burn it. Go over once every 6m or so at a low rate and then fill in the gaps after.

Rotorvate (not power harrow) in behind straight away.

 

[Brisel]

Does mustard grown and rotavated in not have a bio-fumigative effect that reduces wireworm?

Yes, but it's not as effective as nematicide.

 

[Baling Hay]

Yes, but it's not as effective as nematicide.

Nor as dangerous as what Silliamwhale is proposing!

 

[Ashtree]

I'd rather starve myself, and feed the wireworms, than eat my own spuds pickled with that radioactive shite being recommended!

Only reason I grow spuds is to have some which aren't radioactive.

I can get those in tescos, cheaper than I grow my own. However my own spuds don't glow in the dark.