Golden apple snail (GAS) is destructive in the first 15 days after transplanting (DAT) and first 4-30 days after direc-seeding. High yield losses can occur if GAS is not managed properly.
GAS devour the base of young seedlings. They can even consume the young plants in a whole paddy overnight. Signs of GAS damage are missing hills and floating cut leaves on the water surface.
Management options for Golden Kuhol
Naturally occurring biological control agents
- Red ants and grasshoppers feed on GAS eggs.
- Birds also feed on eggs and newly hatched snails.
- Field rats bite on shells and eat the flesh.
- Human beings eat the flesh when it is properly cooked.
Cultural Management/Land Preparation
- Handpick GAS from rice paddies
- Use plants that contain toxic substances against GAS such as asyang, sambong, gugo, and makabuhay
- Leaves of gabi and banana and old newspapers can be used to attract GAS in canals
- Construct small canals to confine the GAS (at least 25 cm wide and 5 cm deep)
- Place a wire or woven bamboo screen on the main irrigation water inlet and outlet. This facilitates
collection of trapped GAS - Follow the standard seeding rate (transplanted: 40kg certified seeds/ha and 60-80 kg certified seeds/ha for direct seeding)
- If GAS is a big problem, transplant 25-30-day-old seedlings
- Maintain 2-3 cm shallow paddy water level starting 3 days after transplanting (DAT)
- Drain the field occasionally to limit snail mobility and feeding activity
Cultural Management after harvesting
- Herd ducks
- Handpick adult GAS
- Dry land preparation exposes GAS to sunlight
Other Information
Studies showed that:
- Varieties that are least preferred by GAS are PSB Rc36, Rc38, Rc40, and Rc68
- Basal application of complete fertilizer and urea incorporated with the soil at recommended rate during the last harrowing can reduce GAS population up to 54%
- Spot treatment of GAS egg masses with niclosamide 250EC reduced cost for GAS management and environmental pollution
