Molluscicidal Activity Of Cashew (Anarcadium Occidentale Linn.) Apple Against Golden Apple Snail (Pomacea Canaliculata Lamarck)

Abstract

Background:  The vast number of golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata Lamarck) in the Philippines is one of the serious problems of rice producers. Synthetic pesticides were utilized by farmers because of its effectiveness.  However, the use of chemicals result to environmental pollution, eradication of non-target organisms and unsafe products due to the toxicity of applied chemicals. This study introduce the key and response to this environmental problems through extraction of cashew apple (Anarcadium occidentale Linn.) as an alternative molluscicides which is environmentally friendly and effective pesticide against golden apple snail. The development of the natural molluscicide would bring a healthier environment, safe to human and results to the increased food production that addresses the Sustainable Goal Development such as Life on Land (SDG 15) and Zero Hunger (SDG 2).

Methods:  The golden apple snails were collected at the pond, nurtured, raised and allowed to lay eggs. The hatched eggs were nurtured until they reached the adult stage. The cashew apple were collected and extracted using manual juicer. There were six treatments with three replications. The golden apple snails were subjected to the different treatments and observed within eight hours. The percentage mortality in each treatment were computed.

Results:  After eight (8) hours of exposure of the golden apple snails to the different treatments, the pure extract of cashew apple (T1) obtained 93.3% mortality which is comparable with the commercially available synthetic molluscicide (T6-positive control). Conclusions:  The results indicated that the extract of cashew apple is a potential molluscicide that may improve the food safety (rice) and protect the health of every Filipino farmers.