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Feeding deterrent effect of carvone, a compound from caraway seeds, on the slug Arion lusitanicus

2002; Wiley; Volume: 141; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/j.1744-7348.2002.tb00200.x

1744-7348

Thomas Frank, K BIERT, Bernhard Speiser,

Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies

Summary The feeding deterrent effect of carvone on the slug Arion lusitanicus was investigated. Carvone, a natural compound from caraway seeds, was incorporated into mulch to reduce its inherent volatility. In a laboratory choice experiment, boxes were filled on one side with carvone‐treated mulch and on the other side with untreated mulch. At carvone concentrations ranging from 0.03–0.75 ml litre −1 mulch, slugs ate significantly more lettuce on the untreated side. In a laboratory based no‐choice experiment, carvone concentrations of 0.25 and 0.75 ml litre −1 mulch significantly reduced slug feeding in comparison with the untreated control. Moreover at the highest concentration of carvone (0.75 ml litre −1 mulch) 50% mortality was recorded over a period of 5 days, indicating a clear molluscicidal effect. Due to its volatility carvone did not decrease plant defoliation by A. lusitanicus when applied directly onto lettuce. Subsequent field evaluation showed 0.75 ml litre −1 mulch to partially reduce slug feeding damage. However, this effect was not sufficient to significantly increase lettuce yield. The incorporation of a higher carvone concentration into mulch is still to be tested to confirm whether carvone‐treated mulch can be recommended as an effective alternative approach to chemical slug control.