The further development of seed treatments to control cabbage stem flea beetle and other pests on winter oilseed rape

The first year pilot study (Project Report OS43) identified three potential replacements for gamma-HCH. Imidacloprid + beta-cyfluthrin (as UK 805 from Bayer plc) provided similar or improved reductions in cabbage stem flea beetle adult damage compared with the previous industry-standard gamma-HCH. A 90% reduction in the percentage of plants infested by aphids was obtained at one site where a significant infestation developed. Indications were obtained from the manufacturer that UK 805 may also provide useful suppression of the incidence of slug damage. In this project, the second year of the study, UK 805 was tested against other coded products, and methiocarb and carbosulfan which were available as commercial treatments in mainland Europe. Bayer UK 894, containing a lower rate of imidacloprid that available in UK 805, was also included as this product seemed the most likely candidate for approval to be obtained for use in the UK.