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SOME OBSERVATIONS ON DAMAGE TO POTATOES BY SLUGS
Author(s) -
THOMAS D. C.
Publication year - 1947
Publication title -
annals of applied biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1744-7348
pISSN - 0003-4746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7348.1947.tb06360.x
Subject(s) - biology , slug , crop , horticulture , maturity (psychological) , agronomy , botany , ecology , psychology , developmental psychology
The garden slug, Arion hortensis Fér., and the keeled slugs, Milax spp., are the slugs mainly responsible for primary damage to potato tubers in the south‐west of England. A variety trial clearly demonstrated the existence of significant differences in susceptibility to slug attack between the three varieties tested. Arran Banner was the most damaged variety, Arran Peak the least, while Majestic occupied an intermediate position. Varietal differences in the amount and time of damage to tubers were associated with differences in the dates of maturity, and little damage occurred prior to the maturing of the tuber. The results confirm the need for prompt lifting of the potato crop on maturity, in order to avoid damage by slugs.