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What are elaterids or ferrets?
What are elaterids or ferrets?The Elaterids,or ferrets, are very problematic soil pests on vegetable and fodder crops. The larvae of these beetles can cause serious damage to crops of: potato,, tomato,, beet, and maize crops..
Their control is very complicated, as they act underground and are therefore difficult to identify.
The elaterids lay their eggs from spring to summer, in crevices in the soil a few cm deep. They prefer loose soil with a lot of organic substance.
After about a month of incubation, the eggs hatch. The young larvae immediately feed on crop residues, and then begin their trophic activity to the detriment of the roots. Affected plants wither easily and quickly decay.
Bulb crops, such as potatoes, are the most at risk.
The ferrets enter the young tuber in formation and erode it by digging long tunnels.
In addition to direct damage to the plant organs, the elaterid larvae cause rot and promote the spread of serious cryptogamic diseases such as fusarium or downy mildew..
MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF FERRETS
Ms Biotech suggests the use of the product Rizotech MB, a microgranular formulation based on viable spores of fungi of the genus Glomus spp., rhizosphere bacteria and Beauveria bassiana spp, which ensures rapid development of the root system, improves the plant's efficiency in absorbing water and nutrients, and reduces the development and spread of elaterid larvae. It ensures rapid development of the root system, improves the plant's efficiency in absorbing water and nutrients and positively increases the quality and quantity of production.
This product helps the plant to cope with and overcome stress created by the presence of phytophagous insects in the root system.
Contact us for more information on how and which products to use.
READ ALSO: How to fight elaterids or 'ferrets
