Soft Fruit Crop Pesticide Use in Scotland Reveals Interesting Trends

Strategic Insights -

The Scottish Government released key points about the use of pesticides in Scotland's soft fruit crops in 2024. The area of estimated pesticide application was higher than in previous surveys, driven by increased use of biopesticides, and favorable climatic conditions. Spring 2024 was warmer and wetter than 2022, increasing weed and disease pressure on crops. The principal soft fruit crop grown in Scotland was strawberries, accounting for 51% of the cropped area. There was a significant increase in the weight of pesticides applied per hectare of crop grown, with biopesticides, biological control agents, and physical control agents all playing a more important role in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The area of estimated pesticide application to soft fruit crops in 2024 was 9% higher than in 2022 and 10% higher than in 2020.
  • The weight of pesticides applied per hectare of crop grown was 83% higher in 2024 than in 2022 and 60% higher compared to 2020.
  • Biopesticides increased by 61% compared to 2022, biological control agents by 20%, and physical control agents by 18%.
  • The estimated total area of soft fruit crops treated with a pesticide formulation in 2024 was ca. 38,300 ha (± 10% Relative Standard Error, RSE) with a combined weight of ca. 26 tonnes (± 15% RSE).
  • Pesticides were applied to 90% of the soft fruit crop area, very similar to the 92% treated area in 2022.
  • Fungicides were applied to 87% of the crop area, insecticides/acaricides to 70%, biologicals to 54%, and herbicides to 27% of the treated crops area.
  • Boscalid and pyraclostrobin were the most used foliar fungicide active substances, while pendimethalin and spirotetramat were the most used herbicide and insecticide active substances respectively.
  • Neoseiulus cucumeris and Bacillus pumilus strain QST 2808 were the most used biological control agent and biopesticide.

Statistics:

  • 38,300 ha (± 10% RSE) - estimated total area of soft fruit crops treated with a pesticide formulation in 2024
  • 26 tonnes (± 15% RSE) - combined weight of pesticides applied in 2024
  • 90% - proportion of soft fruit crop area treated with pesticides in 2024
  • 92% - proportion of soft fruit crop area treated with pesticides in 2022
  • 51% - proportion of soft fruit crop area dedicated to strawberry cultivation
  • 19% - proportion of soft fruit crop area dedicated to blackcurrant cultivation
  • 12% - proportion of soft fruit crop area dedicated to blueberry cultivation
  • 10% - proportion of soft fruit crop area dedicated to raspberry cultivation

Sources:

  • Scottish Government, Key Points on Pesticide Use in Soft Fruit Crops, 2024
  • (No date provided in the source material)