The Metaldehyde Stewardship Group - A guide to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and slug control

Please answer the following questions on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and slug control to gain BASIS CPD points.

You will be awarded 2 BASIS CPD points for scoring 80% or above.

If you score below 80% you will be awarded 1 BASIS CPD point.

Note: You must provide your name and BASIS number in order for points to be allocated.

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1. Your name:

Name

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2. BASIS number:

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3. What does IPM stand for? (select the correct answer)

Integrated Pest Monitoring

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Money

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4. Why should an IPM approach to slug control be used? (tick the answers that apply)

It is an effective tool to boost crop productivity

It is more effective than relying solely on slug pellets

It will help ensure maximum protection to the environment, in particular water,birds and small mammals

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5. According the Metaldehyde Stewardship Group’s guide to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and slug control – what is the first step that should be considered as part of an IPM programme for slug control? (select the correct answer)

Planting

Thresholds

Farm appraisal

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6. Soil and stubble management is a key component of IPM and slug control. How can ploughing be a useful practice for this purpose? (select the correct answer)

To bury surface trash which considerably reduces slug populations and risk of damage to crops

To stop slugs encroaching from the headlands

To protect watercourses

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7. How does rolling after drilling help to reduce slug activity? (select the correct answer)

This process creates a firm, fine seedbed which makes it harder for slugs to move around and also reduces the availability of safe resting places

This process creates a loose seedbed which makes it easier for slugs to move around and also provides them with a host of safe resting places

This process bring slugs to the surface which means farmers and agronomists can work together to remove any slugs

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8. At appropriate dates, seed should be drilled into fine consolidated seedbeds at 3cm depth to deny slugs access to seed. What depth should seed be drilled into if seedbeds are cloddy? (select the correct answer)

7-8cm

5-6cm

4-5cm

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9. Slug pellets should never be used as a bait when trapping. What suitable baits can be used? (select the correct answer)

Rice or pasta

Chicken layers’ mash or a cereal-based food source

Bread

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10. When trapping for slugs in fields that are larger than 20 hectares, how many traps should be used? (select the correct answer)

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11. In winter cereals and oilseed rape (standing cereals) – which of the following thresholds indicates a possible risk of attack from slugs? (select the correct answer)

4 slugs/trap

5 slugs/trap

7 slugs/trap

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12. Once pellets have been applied, crops should be monitored regularly for slug damage, particularly when they are most vulnerable. Which true leaf stage should oilseed rape crops be monitored up until? (select the correct answer)

Three

Four

Five