Scientists have created an agricultural pesticide made of garlic juice concentrate which kills worms that destroy potato and cabbage crops.

Last year, biologists from the University of Newcastle revealed that garlic juice can kill slugs and snails in the garden. The same principle is being applied to potato cyst nematodes that trouble crops.

Norfolk-based Ecospray is trying to market the product, but is struggling to commercialise its garlic extract for use as a pesticide without undergoing thorough tests.

David Sadler-Bridge, managing director of Ecospray said: “We’re hoping to get approval from the Pesticides Safety Directorate. It’s been nearly four years since testing started, and we’ve had to go through the same hoops as a synthetic product.”

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