CONTROL OF THE FIELD SLUG DEROCERAS-RETICULATUM (MULLER) (PULMONATA, LIMACIDAE) BY PESTICIDES APPLIED TO WINTER-WHEAT SEED

A laboratory test was developed as a quick screening method for investigating the effectiveness of different pesticides as seed treatments against the slug Deroceras reticulatum in winter wheat. Seed treatments were applied with and without a coating agent. The most effective treatments in preventing damage by slugs to the seeds were: bromoxynil, carvone, ioxynil, thiocyclam hydrogen oxalate and methiocarb. Anthraquinone, thiodicarb, isazofos and Bacillus thuringiensis were less effective. The coating agent had some influence on the effectiveness of these treatments, but was not significant. Among the most effective pesticides, only methiocarb did not demonstrate any phytotoxic effects. Tsazofos showed moderate phytotoxicity. Coating significantly improved germination of seeds treated with carvone and thiocyclam hydrogen oxalate. Other treatments did not react to coating.