Research Projects

Co-financing Organisation

• Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry of Republic Slovenia

Research Organisation Partners

• Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia (KGZS) – Institute of Agriculture and Forestry Nova Gorica
• Slovenian Institute for Hop Growing and Brewing
•  Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia (KGZS) – Institute of Agriculture and Forestry Maribor

Abstract

In a 36-month project directly linked to the second goal of the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we aim to investigate in three research packages the effectiveness of the method of mass trapping of adult scarab beetles, to reduce the damage caused by white grubs in grassland, the effectiveness of the same method for trapping adults of lined click beetle (Agriotes lineatus) in winter wheat fields with the aim of reducing damage caused by wireworms in field crops, and the method of mating disruption to reduce damage caused by granary weevil (Sitophilus granarius) and rice weevil (S . oryzae) in grain warehouses.

We will use different types of pheromone traps and light traps to catch the adults of common cockchafer and European June beetle. We will try to reduce the number of wireworms, an important soil pest of field and vegetable crops in the field, by trapping click beetles with two types of pheromone traps, placed in the field with winter wheat throughout the growing season. For the first time, we will test the effectiveness of the mating disruption method in reducing the abundance and harmfulness of two of the most economically important storage beetles in grain and product warehouses. The trials which will be carried out in different areas of Slovenia, will use products that are not available on our market. By identifying the most effective products, Slovenian farmers and companies will receive important information for the implementation of the most effective environmentally friendly pest control (farmers) or products that our market needs (companies).

The results obtained in outdoor experiments and in warehouses of cereal grains and cereal products will be analyzed with an appropriate statistical tool to evaluate the importance of trap types and meteorological parameters for catching the studied pests in traps. The results will be presented in professional and scientific journals, as well as at national and international conferences. In addition expert recommendations on methods of mass trapping and mating disruption for plant protection with a particular focus on pest control will be made and discussed as a part of the ongoing project. We anticipate that the pest control methods that will prove most effective in our research will be used in future systems for the protection of stored products and/or the protection of crops, vegetables and grassland.

Researchers

• 17763 - Stanislav Trdan (V) 
• 35543 - Tanja Bohinc (R) 
• 28497 - Žiga Laznik (R) 
• 25866 - Jaka Rupnik (T)
• 19720 - Matej Vidrih (R) 
• 23589 - Filip Vučajnk (R) 
• 22714 - Boštjan Medved (T)
• 56328 - Luka Batistič (R)

The phases of the project and their realization

WP 1: Studying the effectiveness of different methods of mass trapping of adult scarabs (Scarabaeidae) on natural grassland (leader and contractor: BF; partner: KGZS – KGZ GO)

• September 2024 to March 2025: purchase of pheromone traps and production of light traps, purchase of pheromone baits, planning of traps placement in two locations (BF, KGZS-KGZ GO)

• April 2025 to October 2025: investigating the seasonal dynamics of Melolontha melolontha and Amphimallon solstitiale at selected locations using traps at weekly intervals, conducting soil excavations (BF, KGZS-KGZ GO)

• November 2025 to March 2026: statistical analysis of the data obtained in the season 2025 (BF)

• April 2026 to October 2026: investigating the seasonal dynamics of Melolontha melolontha and Amphimallon solstitiale at selected locations using traps at weekly intervals, conducting soil excavations (BF, KGZS-KGZ GO)

• November 2026 to April 2027: statistical analysis of the data obtained in the season 2026 and statistical analysis of the data obtained in the years 2025 and 2026 (BF, KGZS-KGZ GO)
 

WP 2: Studying the effectiveness of the method of massive trapping of click beetles in winter wheat (leader and contractor: BF, partners: KGZS KGZ GO, KGZS – KGZ MB, IHPS)

• September 2024 to October 2024: field preparation for winter wheat sowing, soil excavation and winter wheat sowing

• November 2024 to February 2025: purchase of pheromone traps and pheromone baits for trapping the click beetles

• March 2025 to July 2025: setting up pheromone traps and monitoring the abundance of click beetles at weekly intervals; monitoring of weather factors with the help of a weather station (daily values), monthly measurement of soil moisture

• July 2025 to August 2025: wheat harvest and soil excavation, field preparation for buckwheat sowing

• October 2025 to November 2025: buckwheat mulching, plowing the field

• December 2025 to March 2026: statistical analysis of the data obtained in season 2025

• April 2026 to May 2026: soil excavations; field preparation for corn sowing and corn sowing/potato planting; monitoring maize emergence

• May 2026 to October 2026: soil excavation in the corn/potato field; corn harvesting/potato digging, soil moisture measurement and monitoring of weather factors

• March to May 2027: soil excavations in fields where corn/potatoes were planted in 2026

• October 2026 to March 2027: statistical analysis of the data obtained as part of the research

WP 3: Studying the effectiveness of the method of mating disruption in warehouses for the control of Sitophilus weevils (manager and performer: BF)

• September 2024 to December 2024: purchase of pheromone traps and baits, and products for mating disruption

• January 2025 to July 2025: monitoring the abundance of granary weevil and rice weevil in 7-10 daily intervals in control trials and trials where we will study the mating disruption method, sampling grain at monthly intervals

• August 2025 to December 2025: statistical analysis of obtained data and purchase of pheromone traps and baits, and products for mating disruption

• January 2026 to July 2026: monitoring the abundance of granary weevil and rice weevil in 7-10 daily intervals in control trials and trials where we will study the mating disruption method, sampling grain at monthly intervals

• August 2026 to September 2027: statistical analysis of obtained data and purchase of pheromone traps and baits, and products for mating disruption

WP 4: Writting professional articles and professional recommendations

• September 2024 to May 2025: preparation of an expert review article on the studied methods in plant protection

• August 2025 to May 2026: dissemination of the results obtained in the first year of research in the form of articles, contributions

• October 2026 to June 2027: dissemination of project results in the form of scientific, professional articles

• June 2027 to August 2027: preparation of expert recommendations