2023
Studies on Molluscicides, Potash, Slug Management
Contributor/Checkoff:
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Biotic stressCrop protectionField management Pest
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Raul Villanueva, University of Kentucky
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
02-029-023
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
Brief Project Summary:
Slug outbreaks were observed in commercial soybean and corn fields of Kentucky in 2016. In 2017, approximately 150,000 acres of soybeans were replanted due to slug damage; this represented approximately 10% of the total acreage in KY. An estimated 5.5 million dollars on seed expenditures for replanting was reported. In 2021, some farmers replanted up to four times in several counties (i.e., Lyon, Caldwell, Henderson, Daviess) due to the substantial slug damage. To understand and provide solutions to this problem, we trained a student (Josey Tolley from Murray State University), who conducted several studies in 2021. This 2022 project will carry on and expand the studies on slugs in order...
Unique Keywords:
#insects and pests, #slugs molluscicides, carabid predacious, potash
Information And Results
Project Summary

Slug outbreaks were observed in commercial soybean and corn fields of Kentucky in 2016. In 2017, approximately 150,000 acres of soybeans were replanted due to slug damage; this represented approximately 10% of the total acreage in KY. An estimated 5.5 million dollars on seed expenditures for replanting was reported. In 2021, some farmers replanted up to four times in several counties (i.e., Lyon, Caldwell, Henderson, Daviess) due to the substantial slug damage. To understand and provide solutions to this problem, we trained a student (Josey Tolley from Murray State University), who conducted several studies in 2021. This 2022 project will carry on and expand the studies on slugs in order to evaluate the effectiveness of molluscicides, potash, and the impact of the predatory behavior of carabid ground beetles on slugs in experimental and commercial soybean fields. It is also our goal to complete the identification of predatory carabid beetles. Most of the funds are requested to cover salary for a student who will contribute to executing experiments and collecting data. We expect to develop management practices to control slugs and train a future person that will benefit the workforce of agriculture.

Project Objectives

The objectives of this project are to: 1.Evaluate abundances of mollusks and ground beetles in commercial and the UK-REC soybean fields at Princeton when molluscicides are used. 2.Quantify abundances of mollusks and ground beetles when combinations of different rates of molluscicides or potash are used. 3.Conduct biological and trophic studies between predatory beetles and slugs in field and laboratory bioassay and identify species composition in commercial fields. 4.Transfer all information generated in this study to end users.

Project Deliverables

Presentations on scientific, CEA and field day meetings Publications in extension and peer-reviered journals

Progress Of Work

Final Project Results

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

This proposal will benefit soybean producers in the following issues: • to find solutions to slug problems and educating on scouting conditions. • to select molluscicide efficiency to control slugs • to find out the potential use of potash on reducing slugs as well as to see any synergistic capacity when used in combination with molluscicides • train a potential future worker for agriculture

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.