Neem crude extract as Biomolluscicide for sustainable control of golden apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata

Golden apple snail, (Pomacea canaliculata) was reported could cause severe damage on food crop especially paddy, which is a staple food for more than 60% of the world population. The farmers mostly rely on chemical and synthetic molluscicides to overcome this problem which improper use of pesticide could give negative impact on environmental. Therefore, there is a need to determine the potential botanical molluscicides in order to ensure the low cost and efficient pest management control method along with protection of the environment. The present study investigated the toxicity of two different neem plant parts (leaves and seeds) against small (10–20mm) and large (20–40mm) sizes of golden apple snails using bioassay. The crude extract treatments were incorporated into the paddy seedlings as a food source of golden apple snails and the concentrations of the leaves and seeds crude extract, which killed 50% of the test population (LC
50
) determined the efficacy of selected extracts. From the result, both plant parts have ability in controlling golden apple snail but aqueous neem leaves crude extract was expressed the most effective controlled compared with aqueous seeds crude extract for both size of golden apple snails. It caused high rate of snail mortality after 96 hours with 93.33% and 84.17% compared to 71.67% and 73.33% for different sizes of golden apple snail, respectively. In addition, aqueous neem leaves crude extract also have the potency in controlling both sizes of golden apple snails with low concentration compared to aqueous neem seeds crude extract. In the observation of the toxicity effects, LC
50
values was lower for neem leaves crude extract with of 44,196.9 ppm and 49,801.5 ppm followed by aqueous neem seeds crude extract with LC
50
of 103,551 ppm and 104,475 ppm for both sizes of golden apple snails. The results of this study suggested that aqueous neem plant extract can be used for controlling golden apple snail and its application can be provided an alternative way for sustainable pest control in paddy field.