Neonicotinoid was used in seed dressing for oilseed rape
Rapeseed oil growers could be facing a huge problem with the cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB), warn experts.
Research by cereals levy body HGCA has found that knock-down resistance (kdr) to pyrethroids is widespread among the UK population of CSFB.
This leaves growers in a very difficult position as pyrethroids are the only pesticides allowed to be used for the crop in the UK, following last year’s restrictions on neonicitinoids.
NFU Scotland combinable crops committee chairman Andrew Moir said: “It’s a real problem; it’s taking the crop out of the picture because pyrethroid is the only product farmers are allowed to use, and because of this we risk falling behind the rest of the world.”
HGCA is now calling for more growers and agronomists to send in samples of the beetle to Rothamsted Research for testing so as to gain a more complete picture of the problem.
HGCA research and knowledge transfer manager Caroline Nicholls said the resistance was likely to cause control problems with all pyrethroids applied at recommended field rates.”
Rapeseed oil growers facing huge cabbage stem flea beetle problem
