b'C anadianP otatoC ounCilSolving the Wireworm ProblemWireworm research is already helping farmers across Canada reduce populations in their potato fields, but the researchers are aiming to make that research easier to understand.BY: ASHLEY ROBINSONA DECADE AGO, wireworms were becoming a problem on Klondike Farms in the Wilmot Valley on Prince Edward Island. John Hogg needed a solution to protect his 750 acres of potatoes and stop the financial losses.Help was found during an information session in Charlottetown. Christine Noronha, a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, was giving a presentation on how growing brown mustard could be beneficial for wireworm control. Hogg, along with his sons Adam and Bradley, who he farms with, were intrigued and approached Noronha about taking part in herfield trials.Shes been working with us ever since doing different field trials, between incorporating mustard, growing it and clipping it, growing it and harvesting it, Hogg says in a phone interview.On Hoggs farm hes found mustard and buckwheat to be beneficial to reduce wireworm populations. Two years ago, he planted a potato crop on aEggs of adultfield, which for the two previous years had been half planted to rye grass andwireworms, also knownthe other half to mustard. They applied an insecticide for wireworm control,as click beetles.PHOTOS: CHRISTINECapture, during the growing season. NOROHNAWhen we come along to harvest, (Noronha) come and took her samples. And it was 50 per cent less (wireworm) damage where the mustard was grown, Hogg explains.A potato field being tested for how likely it is to get wireworm damage. 24 SPUDSMART.COM FALL 2020'