Suche
Mein Konto
Potato harvest in danger: wireworms are causing a lot of damage to farmers!
Potato farmers in the Rhine-Palatinate district report crop damage caused by wireworms, despite the largest harvest in 25 years.
Potato harvest in danger: wireworms are causing a lot of damage to farmers!
Germany has had a record potato harvest this year - the largest in 25 years! But in the Palatinate the positive trend is not without challenges. The potato farmers there, especially Andreas Binder's Gerolsheim family business, are plagued by crop-damaging wireworms, which are primarily the larvae of the click beetle, also known as agriotes. These pests have caused significant damage this year, which poses increasing cultivation risks for Binder's business, which grows potatoes on around 60 hectares. Potato farming is the backbone of his business, and the current problems are causing disillusionment among farmers.
The wireworms, grown by various species such as the seed beetle (Agriotes lineatus) and the humus beetle (A. obscurus), gnaw on potato tubers and have a negative impact on the quality of the harvest. Damage has increased compared to previous years, partly due to the ban on broad-spectrum soil insecticides and the increasing use of no-till and permanent cover crops. If wireworms occur in too large numbers, even high crop yields are at risk. This is evident in the deep tunnels and round holes that they eat in the potato tubers.
Causes and prevention
The wireworms face a long life cycle: after laying their eggs in loose, moist soil, they hatch after about a month. Their development into larvae can take up to several years. During this time they not only affect young germs, but can also result in total failures. Preventive measures such as following thoughtful crop rotation and tillage to reduce the wireworm population are crucial. It is also recommended to plant potatoes after a break of 2 to 3 years after three-field farming to dry out the pests.
The new emergency approvals for specific agents show a good hand in combating wireworms. The use of SoilGuard 0.5 GR, a chemical insecticide, has been upgraded from March 2025. It is effective against wireworms and can be used on both table and seed potatoes. However, when using the granules, strict guidelines must be followed to protect the environment. This includes a maximum dosage of 15 kg/ha and the need to cover the granules directly with soil.
The challenges of growing potatoes are complex, and farmers are constantly looking for new ways to secure their yields. They should always support the wireworms' natural enemies, such as predatory beetles and birds, in order to find balance in the ecosystem.