Representatives from Syngenta, Frontier, G’s Fresh, Elveden Estate, Pearce Seeds, Inov3PT and Blackthorn Arable are collaborating on Enigma I to perceive wireworm and its altering patterns of damage in higher element.
Larissa Collins, entomology R&D group chief at Fera Science Ltd:
“It’s fantastic to launch our first Enigma project with the support of seven prominent agribusinesses, representing a range of crops and stages in the supply chain.”
“Over its 3-year programme, Fera will undertake research that looks at further understanding the current wireworm species affecting crops and also the lifecycles of wireworm, with the aim of finding successful Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques capable of controlling the pest.”
Peter Saunders, iceberg crop supervisor, G’s Fresh:
“Being part of Enigma I will help us to understand why wireworm damage within our lettuce crop is increasing significantly. The problem is not just the yield loss from individual plants, it creates massive inefficiencies for the harvesting crews, which adds very significant labour costs.”
Wireworm damage can be posing a barrier for the Enigma I companions working to implement regenerative agriculture practices.
Andrew Francis, Farms Director at Elveden Farms Ltd:
“From several angles, having a crop in the ground at all times of the year is the right thing to do, but we need effective soil pest management options to help stay on top of wireworm through each rotation.”
“By increasing our understanding of how different species of wireworm respond to cover crops and min-till agriculture, this Enigma project will be extremely beneficial.”
Syngenta’s area technical supervisor, Max Newbert, additionally highlights how the learnings from collaborative analysis might have a constructive influence on the setting.
Max Newbertq:
“With the loss of actives to control wireworm, we’re keen to find alternative preventative solutions and strategies. Going forward, environmental stewardship is only going to become more important for growers, and understanding the wireworm issue in further detail is key to the more targeted use of prophylactics.”