IPICEX 2008

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MANAGEMENT OF THE GOLDEN APPLE SNAIL

POMACEA CANALICULATA (LAMARCK) IN IRRIGATED RICE

IN SABAH

Teo Su SinAgriculture Research Centre

89207 Tuaran, Sabah, Malaysia

Invasion of GAS in Sabah- early 1990’s- sighted in Keningau- current infested area = 8000 ha

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Biology & Ecology of GAS

- GAS inhabits places with shallow andslow moving water

- polyphagous; vegetal, detrital &animal matter

- wet season active- limited water conditions –

snails aestivate- snail can aestivate underground

> 10 months

Early Infestation

- numerous egg masses

- vegetation covered with pinkishcoloration

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Damage Potential of GAS

- younger seedling more susceptible

- the deeper the water the greater the damage

Damage potential : water depth >seedling age > pest density in the decreasing order

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Management Strategy

- people dimension

- awareness campaign:Research Extension Farmers

GAS Control Measures (IPM)

a. Cultural controlb. Biological controlc. Chemical control*user sensitive approach*

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Cultural Control

- handpicking with herbageattractants

- transplanting 40-day-old seedlings- field draining to ssmc for direct

seeding planting method

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Biological Control

- 5 – 10 ducks / ha

- Wiiliam Siam > Taiwan > Mallard> Peking > Khaki Campbell

- transplanting – 4 weeks

- direct seeding – 6 weeks

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Biological Control

- Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

- African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Ref: Crop Protection 25 (2006) 1004 - 1012

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Management of GAS Breeding Grounds

- drain off water to stop snail activities- duck herding- molluscicides should not be the priority- conserve natural enemies e.g. fish,

insects, spider, birds.

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Chemical Controla. Tea seed powder

- 51 kg/ha under 5 – 7 cm of stagnant water

b. Pellets of metaldehyde 5%- 15 kg/ha

c. niclosamide

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Problems & Constraint

- many farmers mistook GAS as the local snail Pila spp.

- man is the principle agent of dispersal- difficult to stop GAS from spreading,

floods, man activities- farmers may not attend briefing /

dialogue session

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Conclusions

- GAS is now under control- IPM Program is effective- total infested area 8000 ha- GAS invasion is an irreversible

phenomenon- should refrain from chemical control

to conserve natural enemies- continual monitoring of GAS is

essential