Abstract
Sugar beet production remains unprotected after the ban on neonicotinoids, while pest pressure is increasing. Although the organic approach to agriculture is highly welcomed, the question remains whether it will be possible to grow sugar beet without pesticides. The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of seed treatments with neonicotinoids on the main sugar beet pests, to determine the susceptibility of the pests under the specific climatic conditions and to discuss possible consequences of the ban of neonicotinoids on the future of sugar beet production in southeast Europe. The study was conducted in two different climatic regions in Croatia in two consecutive years. The tested variants were: seed coated with imidacloprid, seed coated with a combination of thiamethoxam and teflutrin and untreated control. Our results showed that seed coatings with imidacloprid and thiamethoxam provided satisfactory protection against wireworms, flea beetles and sugar beet weevils at low population pressure. These pests are regular pests of sugar beet in southern and eastern Europe and therefore need to be controlled. Caterpillars and aphids were present in low populations, so the efficacy of the insecticides tested cannot be determined with certainty. A further research program is needed to find alternative solutions and develop easily implementable strategies for all sugar beet pests. We would propose an authorization of neonicotinoids for seed treatment of sugar beet in the regions with high infestation pressure of the main sugar beet pests.
Highlights
IntroductionAccording to Kristek et al [1], sugar beet is a profitable industrial crop grown commercially for sugar production
The aim of this study was to determine: (1) the efficacy of seed treatment with neonicotinoids on the main sugar beet pests during two growing seasons and different climatic conditions at two locations; (2) the actual vulnerability to individual pests under the specific agro climatic conditions and the extent to which neonicotinoid seed treatment is effective in preventing damage; and (3) the possible consequences of the ban of neonicotinoids on the future of sugar beet production in southeastern Europe
Treatment 1 was sown with the untreated seeds, treatment 2 was treated with imidacloprid at 0.91 mg a.i./seed and treatment 3 was treated with a combination of thiamethoxam and teflutrin at 0.36 + 0.036 mg a.i./seed
Summary
According to Kristek et al [1], sugar beet is a profitable industrial crop grown commercially for sugar production. It is grown in Europe over approximately 2,000,000 ha, which is about 70% of the total arable land in the world. Sugar beet production has decreased in Croatia, but in all countries of the EU. In 2018, sugar beet yield per hectare decreased by 15% compared to 2017 [2]. Croatian sugar beet production in 2018 was reduced by 40%, which means up to 524 thousand tons compared to the production of the previous year [3]
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