As industry calls for more alternative nematode control options in carrot and parsnip crops, results of a recent grower survey suggest that good nematode control can be achieved through the use of biorational products.

The survey conducted on behalf of Certis UK indicated that the lack of options available to protect against nematodes is the biggest concern of UK growers for the coming year.

However, the survey also revealed that good results were achieved by many growers last season who followed best practice guidance when using NEMguard DE on their crops.

Biorational pesticides are treatments that are relatively non-toxic, with with few known ecological side-effects. However, though some biorational pesticides are allowed on organic farms, there is no official definition of this term, meaning there is no threshold at which a more environmentally benign  treatment can be classed as 'biorational'

Selchuk Kurtev, IPM manager at Certis, explains how biorationals such as NEMguard DE can fit into a successful Integrated Crop Management (ICM) programme for field crops.

“Although originally developed for the protected crop sector, the increased focus on sustainable crop protection and ICM has resulted in more research into biorationals for use in field and broadacre crops,” he explains.

“With the recent AHDB Horticulture review stating that more longer-term research is required into alternate methods of control of free living nematodes, such as biologicals. Biorationals are becoming a key component of any grower’s armoury.”

Around 40% of carrot and parsnip growers who took part in the survey stated that they would recommend the product for nematode control, with 60% citing that best results were achieved after applying at the recommended rate of 20 kilograms per hectare followed by minimum of 20mm irrigation as soon as the crops are drilled.

“Understanding how these products can work together with conventional chemistry in crop production is important for the fresh produce sector.

“In a lot of instances growers just need to build confidence with biorational products by trying them out in their fields. With planting imminent, now is a good opportunity to do this,” Mr Kurtev concludes.