A new nationwide initiative to assess cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB) larvae levels in oilseed rape (OSR) is being launched as part of the ongoing OSR Reboot.
Led by Niab, the project is a collaborative effort jointly funded by Hutchinsons, Agrii, and United Oilseeds. This initiative will engage farmers across the UK to supply OSR stem samples, which Niab will analyse for CSFB larvae numbers before sharing the results with the wider industry.
Recent studies and grower reports suggest that CSFB pressures may be lower during the coming season. The Bayer MagicTraps, used in a nationwide network set up by United Oilseeds and widely used by project partners, previously recorded relatively low adult CSFB numbers, and on-farm observations indicate fewer adults across many areas. Actions such as the post harvest shallow cultivation practiced by 80% of farmers surveyed late last year, could arguably have had an impact on larvae numbers, regardless, the proposed count will offer further insights into what we might expect later this year.
The project will commence in the coming weeks, with selected farmers from across the partner networks receiving sampling kits to collect and send OSR plant stems to Niab for assessment. All samples are expected to be returned by the end of February, ensuring that results are available well ahead of the winter OSR campaign. The findings will provide valuable insight into CSFB larvae populations and help inform future OSR management strategies.
Niab’s break crop specialist Colin Peters comments: "This is a simple and cost-effective project that could provide valuable insights for farmers and the industry in understanding what adult CSFB pressure may look like later this year. While long-term research remains crucial, we also need shorter-term initiatives like this that can leverage real-time data to support farm decision-making."
This initiative underscores the importance of collaborative research in tackling key agronomic challenges, with multiple industry partners coming together to deliver robust and practical insights for UK growers.
Video courtesy of Niab.