Lucerne-aphid warning

Press, 17 April 1978, Page 7

Lucerne-aphid warning

? A warning to farmers that aphids are increasing again ip lucerne stands has been [given by Mr T. E. T. Trought, an entomologist of •the research division of the Ministry of Agriculture. Generally aphid populations had been low this season, he said, but numbers i were building up again after ! recent rains that had stimu•lated the growth of lucerne. This might continue until • winter set in. The newly-arrived pea aphid, he said, was more common than the blue-green aphid, but was about as harmful.

Mr Trought said that seed- : lings of recently-sown lu- [ cerne were particularly sus•ceptible, and establishment! [and growth might be set [back if aphid numbers in- ; creased unchecked. Spraying might have to be considered. On older stands, grazing could check infestations, but spraying might, have to be considered on them, too. In trial plots near Lincoln, • aphid infestation had caused :a drop of at least 40 per I cent in production on un- ' sprayed plots in the last; three weeks, Mr Trought! [said.