Researchers from the UK Agri-Tech Centre and Rothamsted Research have identified a high-tech method to detect the grey field slug or Deroceras reticulatum.
The grey field slug is one of the “most economically significant slug pests and a major cause of crop damage”, according to the researchers.
The findings of the research “paves the way for both automated in-field monitoring and the development of novel, precision slug-control strategies”, including the use of biorationals (environmentally safe pest control).
In a paper published this week, the researchers describe how their studies explored the potential of multispectral and fluorescence imaging to detect slugs. In other words, this involves looking at light from frequencies beyond the visible light range.
Results showed that multispectral imaging can be used to identify grey field slugs and differentiate the pest from common agricultural field-surface materials.
Slug detection
Historically, farmers have monitored slugs using traps or visual observations. However, these manual approaches are labour intensive and reduce the scope of monitoring.
Automated slug detection could provide more detailed insights into slug populations and support the development of precision slug control strategies.
The paper brings together data from two Innovate UK funded projects – SlugBot and SLIMERS (Strategies Leading to Improved Management and Enhanced Resilience against Slugs).
SLIMERS, the current project, is funded through the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra’s) Farming Innovation.
Technical lead for the SLIMERS project, Dr. Jenna Ross OBE (UK Agri-Tech Centre), said: “This exciting piece of work brought together a fantastic multidisciplinary team to develop a game-changing solution for improved monitoring of pestiferous slugs.
“By identifying these unique wavelengths of light, we can start to use these data to develop real world applications for improved slug monitoring and subsequent control.”
SLIMERS is a three-year £2.6 million research programme involving more than 100 farms and seven partners.
Funded by Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra’s) Farming Innovation Programme, delivered by Innovate UK, the project is led by the British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN).
It combines expertise from partner organisations the UK Agri-Tech Centre, Harper Adams University, the John Innes Centre, Fotenix, Farmscan Ag and Agrivation.
Together the consortium is developing cost-effective forecasting and precision treatment tools, an Al-based autonomous system for the targeted application of biological control, and exploring ‘slug resistant’ wheat varieties.
