Molluscicidal effect of quicklime, CaO on golden snail <i>(Pomacea canaliculata)</i>

Abstract

The golden snail (Pomacea canaliculata) is presently a major pest of rice in lowland and rainfed areas through out the Philippines . The problem of golden snail infestation in rice farming system includes damage to the rice plants, rice yield losses, additional expense, side effects of chemicals and destructive effect on native snails . The study was conducted to evaluate the molluscicidal effect of calcium oxide for the control of golden snails in farmlands and to determine the 96hour LC50 in order to know the lethal concentration of calcium oxide to golden snails. Calcium oxide was found to have a molluscicidal activity on golden snails The golden snails were exposed to different concentrations namely. 100 ppm. 200 ppm. 300 ppm .400 ppm. and 500 ppm Remarkable lethal effects of calcium oxide (p<0.05) has been found in 4(H) and 500 ppm concentrations which has reached 60-100 % after the 96 hour treatment. The 96-hour LC50 within the 95% confidence interval was 322.02 ppm as computed Calcium oxide is safe on rice when used as a molluscicide It performs dual function as fertilizer/soil stabilizer and molluscide. These dual effects are very significant because it means big savings on the part of the rice farmers. Considering the prevalence of this pest, farmers spend much on molluscicides and their application. With calcium oxide, the farmer has a molluscicide and soil stabilizer in one application.