WEBINAR: Crop Rotation for WireWorm Control

The cryptic behaviour of wireworm larvae, combined with their broad host range and the limited availability of effective insecticides, makes managing this pest particularly challenging. Potatoes are a key economic crop and severe wireworm damage can result in substantial financial losses or even complete crop failure.   In response to the lack of viable control options, research was conducted to evaluate the use of rotation crops.  The results showed a marked decrease in the number of heavily infested fields confirming the positive impact of the crop rotation strategy used. Detailed research findings will be presented and discussed.

Presenter:   Dr. Christine Noronha is a research scientist (Entomology IPM) at the Charlottetown Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, PEI.  

Dr. Noronha’s research has focused on developing pest management strategies for major pests on agricultural crops. She is the inventor of the NELT™, a solar powered trap for click beetles, developed an effective crop rotation strategy for wireworm suppression and the “Stem Crusher” for European corn borer control in potatoes.

Her leadership in developing innovative pest management strategies has had a significant impact on the agricultural sector. She is frequently sought out for consultations, expert advice, and presentations by growers, industry groups, and the scientific community in Canada and Europe. In recognition of her contributions, she received the Agrologist Recognition Award from the Prince Edward Island Institute of Agrologists in 2016 and was named one of the Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture in 2022. Dr. Noronha has published scientific papers, book chapters and fact sheets. She collaborates closely with the researchers, consultants and individual farmers from Canada, Europe and USA. The World Potato Congress Inc. is grateful to Dr. Noronha for taking this opportunity to be part of the World Potato Congress Inc. Webinar series.