Study to look at how slug control methods around the globe can aid UK farmers

Slug control methods across the world are the focus of a Nuffield Farming Scholarship for Jenna Ross, whose family are tenant farmers on the Macrobert Estate in Tarland.

Her project – Riding the Slime Wave: Gathering Global Data to Enhance Slug Control in the UK – sets out to collate global information on slug control, in order to enhance farming methods in the UK.

It has been funded by AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds and the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland.

“I want to look at what products are being used overseas and what integrated pest management strategies are being used and how effective they are,” said Ms Ross, who is a Fellow at Aberdeen University.

“I will also look at application rates and methods for these products, as well as biological invasions and whether or not there needs to be quarantines.”

Ms Ross’s interest in slugs started when she embarked on a PHD looking at biological slug control products.

As part of her study, Ms Ross plans to travel to Kenya, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, Norway and Slovenia.

In Australia and New Zealand she will look at how strict protocols on the entry of plant materials are being used to prevent the entry of pests into the countries, while in Norway and Slovenia she will look at the impact of the Spanish slug invasion in these countries.

Although the Spanish slug has not yet been found in Scotland, it has been found in the UK and, according to Ms Ross, it has the potential to cause serious problems for UK farmers.

Ms Ross said: “The biggest concern right now is the Spanish slug which has the ability to mate with the indigenous black slug to produce super-hybrids, which produce more eggs than normal.

“They have resistance to chemicals.”

Anyone interested in contributing to the study is asked to email Ms Ross at jenna.ross@ abdn.ac.uk

“

The biggest concern right now is the Spanish slug ...

Picture: PA. Slugs can lay up to 100 eggs.